($1,213) Moving From Iowa to Arkansas

Quick answer: The average cost to move from Iowa to Arkansas ranges from $514 to $5,647 and takes one-six 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 Iowa 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 Iowa to Arkansas separately through one of the top car shipping companies.

Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our moving from Arkansas to Iowa guide.

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The best Iowa to Arkansas movers

Hiring an interstate moving company from Iowa to Arkansas 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 Iowa to Arkansas:

Best Overall Value
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.85 / 5
(855) 650-0657
At A Glance
  • GPS tracking en route
  • Veteran-owned
  • Dedicated move coordinator
  • Flat-rate pricing
  • Donates a portion of moves to charity
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(855) 650-0657
Best for personalized service
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
(980) 217-6841
At A Glance
  • 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
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(980) 217-6841
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(844) 794-6004
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  • Family owned & operated
  • Affordable pricing
  • Binding estimates
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(844) 794-6004
Best Nationwide Coverage
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  • 30 days storage included
  • Local and long distance moving options
  • Unlimited loading/unloading time
  • Store on property or at a facility
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(866) 835-2392
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  • Experienced & fully trained moving crews
  • Specializes in moving art & antiques
  • Competitive pricing
  • Can handle last-minute moves
  • Climate-controlled storage
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(866) 835-2392

If you’re just trying to ship a few items, here’s a list of our recommended services for small moves.

Looking for local Iowa movers?

Company Quote Rating Contact
White Glove Movers Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.66 overall rating
4600 Commercial Ave, Marion, IA, 52302
(319) 393-3000
All Mighty Movers LLC Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.58 overall rating
59 Clark St., Des Moines, IA, 50314
(515) 313-1395

Visit our Best Movers in Iowa page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.

How much does it cost to move from Iowa to Arkansas?

The table below lays out average cost ranges to move from Iowa to Arkansas for different moving services depending on the size of your home.

Move size Moving company Moving container Rental truck
Studio / 1 Bedroom $1,213 - $3,497 $751 - $1,793 $486 - $880
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,260 - $5,647 $1,277 - $2,480 $514 - $1,034
4+ bedrooms $3,763 - $8,008 $1,755 - $3,396 $654 - $1,236

*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 597 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 IA to AR

There are many factors that influence Iowa moving costs. The cost to move from Iowa to Arkansas 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 Iowa 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 Iowa to Arkansas?

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Iowa to Arkansas will cost between $1,213 and $3,497. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from IA to AR will range from $2,260 to $5,647, and a large move from Iowa to Arkansas will cost from $3,763 to $8,008.

How much are moving containers like PODS from Iowa to Arkansas?

Moving containers from Iowa to Arkansas will cost you $751 to $1,793 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,277 to $2,480. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $1,755 to $3,396. Learn more about PODS cost.

Here are the cheapest moving container companies when moving out of Iowa.

How much is a moving truck from Iowa to Arkansas?

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 $486 to $880. A two to three-bedroom move will cost $514 to $1,034, and moving a home with four or more bedrooms or from Iowa to Arkansas costs from $654 to $1,236.
These estimates include the estimated fuel cost.

Is moving from Iowa to Arkansas a good idea?

If you’re moving to Arkansas from Iowa, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.

Cost of living: Iowa vs. Arkansas

Iowa Arkansas
Average rent cost $806 $760
Average home cost $207,215 $197,411
Average income (per capita) $70,571 $56,335
Cost of Living Index 89 90
Unemployment rate 3.2% 3.1%
Average Sales Tax 6.94% 9.51%
State Income Tax 4.4% 2.0%
  • Rent is about 6% less expensive in Arkansas than in Iowa.
  • Home prices are about 5% lower in Arkansas than in Iowa.
  • The average income is about 20% lower in Arkansas than in Iowa.
  • Cost of living is 1% lower in Arkansas than in Iowa.
  • Arkansas has a lower unemployment rate than Iowa by about 3%.
  • Sales taxes are 37% higher in Arkansas than in Iowa.
  • Income taxes are 55% lower in Arkansas than in Iowa.

How does life in Arkansas differ from Iowa?

Arkansas Iowa
Population 3,045,637 3,200,517
Political leaning Republican 62-35 Republican 53-45
Summer high 91ºF 84ºF
Winter low 28ºF 10ºF
Annual rain 50" 35"
Annual snow 4" 30"
Crime index 33.55 18.7
  • The population of Arkansas is approximately 5% lower than the population of Iowa.
  • In the last presidential election, Arkansas voted Republican and Iowa voted Republican.
  • The average high in the summertime in Arkansas is 91ºF and in Iowa, it’s 84ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Arkansas reaches the temperature of 28ºF and Iowa gets down to 10ºF.
  • You can expect about fifty inches of annual rainfall in Arkansas versus thirty-five inches of rainfall in Iowa.
  • In Arkansas, it snows about four inches annually versus thirty inches of snow in Iowa.
  • Arkansas has a higher crime rate than Iowa with a crime index of 33.55 vs 18.7.

Comparing the pros of Iowa vs. Arkansas

There are always a lot of reasons to get excited about living somewhere new. These are the best parts of living in Iowa versus Arkansas side by side.

Pros of living in Iowa Pros of living in Arkansas
Low cost of living Bountiful recreational opportunities
Ample economic opportunity Low cost of living
High quality of education Diverse lifestyle opportunities
No traffic Fantastic weather
Beautiful outdoors Natural beauty

Comparing the cons of living in Iowa vs. Arkansas

Not everything is sunshine and rainbows all the time, no matter where you live. Here are some things to be aware of when leaving Iowa for Arkansas.

Cons of living in Iowa Cons of living in Arkansas
Severe weather conditions High crime rate
Limited recreational opportunities Dangerous wildlife
High taxes Poor education
High emphasis on politics Pervasive poverty
Rustic food Strange laws

What to know before your move to Arkansas

  • Weather: Arkansas has hot, humid summers and slightly drier, mild to cool winters. Arkansas is known for extreme weather and frequent storms. A typical year brings thunderstorms, tornadoes, hail, snow, and ice storms. Between both the Great Plains and the Gulf States, Arkansas receives around 60 days of thunderstorms. Movers should check their local weather station to make sure they are not being caught in any of these storms.
  • 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: Before providing in-state household goods relocation services, Arkansas moving companies must be issued an Intrastate Authority Permit from the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State Regulator: You can verify a Arkansas moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
  • Moving Permits: Arkansas 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 Arkansas. 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. Released Value Protection, offered by movers at no extra cost, is the most economical option, albeit with minimal coverage. The mover's responsibility is capped at 60 cents per pound per article. For instance, if a 50-inch TV weighing 25 pounds is lost or damaged, the reimbursement would be $15 (60 cents x 25 pounds). To ensure full coverage of your items' value, explore alternative options with your moving company or consider third-party insurance providers.
  • Moving Checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.

Things to do in Arkansas

While you’re in Arkansas, you won’t be bored. These are some of the coolest places to visit in your new home state:

  • Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
  • Hot Springs National Park
  • Magic Springs and Crystal Falls Water and Theme Park
  • Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site
  • Little Rock Zoo
  • Clinton Presidential Center
  • Thorncrown Chapel
  • Arkansas Air & Military Museum
  • Crater of Diamonds State Park
  • Garvan Woodland Gardens

FAQs

What is the cheapest way to move from Iowa to Arkansas?

The cheapest way to move from Iowa to Arkansas 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 Iowa to Arkansas?

The main reasons people are moving from Iowa to Arkansas are the amazing upsides of living in Arkansas such as bountiful recreational opportunities and low cost of living.

Is it cheaper to live in Iowa or Arkansas?

It is generally cheaper to live in Iowa than in Arkansas. While the overall cost of living is similar for both states, housing is more affordable in Arkansas, with average rent about 6% less and home prices 4.7% lower than in Iowa. Taxes are also lower in Arkansas, most notably income taxes, which are more than 50% less than those paid by Iowa residents.

How much should you make a year to live comfortably in Arkansas?

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 Arkansas you live For example, larger cities like Arkadelphia and Batesville will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.

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