($1,284) Moving From California to Iowa
Quick answer: The average cost to move from California to Iowa ranges from $1,168 to $6,933 and takes five-sixteen days. The top cost factors are how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the move yourself.
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Hiring a full-service California moving company will be on the more expensive side, while a rental truck or a moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.
You may also want to consider the potential added cost of getting your vehicle or boat to your new home as part of your move. Some full-service movers can coordinate auto transport for you as part of your relocation package for an additional fee. But you can also handle vehicle transport from California to Iowa separately through one of the top car shipping companies.
Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our moving from Iowa to California guide.
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The best California to Iowa movers
Hiring an interstate moving company from California to Iowa is a big deal.
There are more than 8,000 moving companies in the U.S. But don’t worry, you won’t have to filter through all of them. We’ve done the research for you and narrowed the list based on customer satisfaction, cost, and services.
Here are the best long-distance moving companies serving California to Iowa:
- Safeway Moving: Best overall value
- Mayzlin Relocation: Best for personalized service
- BLVD Moving: Best for quick quotes
- PODS: Best nationwide coverage
- American Van Lines: Most experienced mover
- GPS tracking en route
- Veteran-owned
- Dedicated move coordinator
- Flat-rate pricing
- Donates a portion of moves to charity
- Family-owned, with locations covering the East Coast
- Full refund if you cancel within 7 days of your move
- Hands-on customer service
- 24/7 support
- Price-matching policy
- Family owned & operated
- Affordable pricing
- Binding estimates
- 30 days storage included
- Local and long distance moving options
- Unlimited loading/unloading time
- Store on property or at a facility
- Experienced & fully trained moving crews
- Specializes in moving art & antiques
- Competitive pricing
- Can handle last-minute moves
- Climate-controlled storage
If you’re just trying to ship a few items, here’s a list of our recommended services for small moves.
Looking for local California movers?
| Company | Quote | Rating | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
most popular
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Get A Quote |
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800 Janopaul Lane, Modesto, CA, 95351 (209) 551-7772 |
| Meathead Movers | Get A Quote |
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4744 North El Capitan Avenue, Fresno, CA, 93722 (559) 785-0316 |
| House to Home Moving | Get A Quote |
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8974 Greenback Ln, Orangevale, CA, 95662 (916) 484-1144 |
Visit our Best Movers in California page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.
How much does it cost to move from California to Iowa?
The table below lays out average cost ranges to move from California to Iowa for different moving services depending on the size of your home.
| Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 Bedroom | $1,284 - $5,035 | $1,133 - $2,636 | $1,036 - $1,955 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,176 - $6,933 | $1,980 - $3,897 | $1,168 - $2,424 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $5,730 - $10,672 | $2,733 - $5,080 | $1,472 - $3,084 |
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 1,849 miles and historical averages. The actual size of your move, additional services required, truck parking access, market conditions, and availability can greatly affect your final costs.
Factors affecting the cost of moving from CA to IA
There are many factors that influence California moving costs. The cost to move from California to Iowa will depend on these factors:
- Move size: Moving a large home costs more than moving a studio apartment.
- Time of year: The peak moving season in California is in the summer, so moving companies will likely charge more.
- DIY vs. professional mover: DIY moving services are cheaper but you do all the heavy lifting compared to letting the pros handle your move.
How much does it cost to hire movers from California to Iowa?
Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from California to Iowa will cost between $1,284 and $5,035. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from CA to IA will range from $3,176 to $6,933, and a large move from California to Iowa will cost from $5,730 to $10,672.
How much are moving containers like PODS from California to Iowa?
Moving containers from California to Iowa will cost you $1,133 to $2,636 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,980 to $3,897. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $2,733 to $5,080. Learn more about PODS cost.
Here are the cheapest moving container companies when moving out of California.
How much is a moving truck from California to Iowa?
A moving rental truck is generally the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor.
Moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around
$1,036 to $1,955.
A two to three-bedroom move will cost
$1,168 to $2,424,
and moving a home with four or more bedrooms or from California to Iowa costs from
$1,472 to $3,084.
These estimates include the estimated fuel cost.
Is moving from California to Iowa a good idea?
If you’re moving to Iowa from California, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.
Cost of living: California vs. Iowa
| California | Iowa | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,856 | $914 |
| Average home cost | $771,057 | $220,277 |
| Average income (per capita) | $91,905 | $70,571 |
| Cost of Living Index | 134 | 89 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4% | 3.0% |
| Average Sales Tax | 8.68% | 6.94% |
| State Income Tax | 13.3% | 4.4% |
- Rent is about 51% less expensive in Iowa than in California.
- Home prices are about 71% lower in Iowa than in California.
- The average income is about 23% lower in Iowa than in California.
- Cost of living is 34% lower in Iowa than in California.
- Iowa has a lower unemployment rate than California by about 44%.
- Sales taxes are 20% lower in Iowa than in California.
- Income taxes are 67% lower in Iowa than in California.
How does life in Iowa differ from California?
| Iowa | California | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,207,004 | 39,029,342 |
| Political leaning | Republican 53-45 | Democratic 59-41 |
| Summer high | 84ºF | 87ºF |
| Winter low | 10ºF | 59ºF |
| Annual rain | 35" | 22" |
| Annual snow | 30" | 7" |
| Crime index | 16.18 | 28.43 |
- The population of Iowa is approximately 92% lower than the population of California.
- In the last presidential election, Iowa voted Republican and California voted Democratic.
- The average high in the summertime in Iowa is 84ºF and in California, it’s 87ºF.
- During the coldest part of the year, Iowa reaches the temperature of 10ºF and California gets down to 59ºF.
- You can expect about thirty-five inches of annual rainfall in Iowa versus twenty-two inches of rainfall in California.
- In Iowa, it snows about thirty inches annually versus seven inches of snow in California.
- Iowa has a lower crime rate than California with a crime index of 28.43 vs 16.18.
Comparing the pros of California vs. Iowa
There are always a lot of reasons to get excited about living somewhere new. These are the best parts of living in California versus Iowa side by side.
| Pros of living in California | Pros of living in Iowa |
|---|---|
| Ample economic opportunity | Low cost of living |
| Pleasant weather | Ample economic opportunity |
| Abundant recreational options | High quality of education |
| High quality of life | No traffic |
| Fresh and healthy foods | Beautiful outdoors |
Comparing the cons of living in California vs. Iowa
Not everything is sunshine and rainbows all the time, no matter where you live. Here are some things to be aware of when leaving California for Iowa.
| Cons of living in California | Cons of living in Iowa |
|---|---|
| High cost of living | Severe weather conditions |
| Heavy tax burdens | Limited recreational opportunities |
| Natural disasters | High taxes |
| Terrible traffic | High emphasis on politics |
| Strange laws | Rustic food |
What to know before your move to Iowa
- Weather: Iowa has a humid continental climate throughout the state. Snowfall is common in Iowa. Spring brings in severe weather season. Iowa has about 50 thunderstorm days per year and has a tornado season. Iowa is known for hot and humid summers. Be sure to check the weather before your move, especially during the springtime.
- HOA Rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
- Elevator Reservation: One common and important example of something that should be handled ahead of time is reserving the building's elevator and finding out their rules for using the elevator.
- Parking Permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles, find out ahead of time with your new local rules.
- State Licensing: When moving within Iowa, make sure to hire a company that is licensed by the Iowa Department of Transportation. Each household goods mover in the state should have an Iowa Motor Carrier (IOWAMC) Number, which means they’ve met minimum insurance and highway safety requirements. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
- State Regulator: You can verify a Iowa moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
- Moving Permits: Iowa does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
- Change of Address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form so that all your mail will get properly forwarded to Iowa. Get started here.
- Mover's Insurance: Interstate moving companies are required under federal law to provide basic insurance — also called “released value protection” — free of charge to all moving customers. Choose cost-free Released Value Protection from movers for basic coverage at 60 cents per pound.
- Moving Checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.
Things to do in Iowa
While you’re in Iowa, you won’t be bored. These are some of the coolest places to visit in your new home state:
- Iowa State Capitol
- Amana Colonies
- Blank Park Zoo
- Greater Des Moines Botanical Center
- Lost Island Waterpark
- National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium
- Pikes Peak State Park
- Visit Okoboji
- Field of Dreams
- Grotto of the Redemption
- National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library
- Buffalo Bill Museum
- Herbert Hoover National Historic Site
- Adventureland Park
- Maquoketa Caves State Park
- Pappajohn Sculpture Park
- Ledges State Park
- American Gothic House & Center
- Brucemore
- Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad
FAQs
What is the cheapest way to move from California to Iowa?
The cheapest way to move from California to Iowa is with a DIY move. Here’s our guide for the cheapest way to move out of state.
What are the benefits of moving from California to Iowa?
The main reasons people are moving from California to Iowa are the amazing upsides of living in Iowa such as low cost of living and ample economic opportunity.
Is it cheaper to live in California or Iowa?
It is generally cheaper to live in Iowa than in California. Housing is much more affordable in Iowa, with average rent about 51% less and home prices 71.4% lower than in California. Taxes are also lower in Iowa, most notably income taxes, which are more than 60% less than those paid by California residents.
How much should you make a year to live comfortably in Iowa?
You should make approximately $0 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in Arizona. The cost of living in Arizona is approximately $0 per month for an individual and $0 for a family of four. The exact amount you’ll need to live comfortably may be more or less depending on where in Iowa you live For example, larger cities like Altoona and Ames will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.
