($1,170) Moving From Iowa to Kentucky
Quick answer: The average cost to move from Iowa to Kentucky ranges from $536 to $5,711 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 Kentucky separately through one of the top car shipping companies.
Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our moving from Kentucky to Iowa guide.
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The best Iowa to Kentucky movers
Hiring an interstate moving company from Iowa to Kentucky 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 Kentucky:
- 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 Iowa movers?
| Company | Quote | Rating | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
most popular
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Get A Quote |
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2601 104th St #400, Urbandale, IA, 50322 (515) 216-3654 |
| Adamantine Spine Moving | Get A Quote |
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4701 NW Urbandale Dr., Des Moines, IA, 50322 (319) 519-0154 |
| White Glove Movers | Get A Quote |
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4600 Commercial Ave, Marion, IA, 52302 (319) 393-3000 |
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 Kentucky?
The table below lays out average cost ranges to move from Iowa to Kentucky for different moving services depending on the size of your home.
| Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 Bedroom | $1,170 - $3,871 | $747 - $1,788 | $527 - $910 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,245 - $5,711 | $1,360 - $2,706 | $536 - $1,058 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,984 - $8,589 | $1,729 - $3,272 | $669 - $1,280 |
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 666 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 KY
There are many factors that influence Iowa moving costs. The cost to move from Iowa to Kentucky 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 Kentucky?
Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Iowa to Kentucky will cost between $1,170 and $3,871. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from IA to KY will range from $2,245 to $5,711, and a large move from Iowa to Kentucky will cost from $3,984 to $8,589.
How much are moving containers like PODS from Iowa to Kentucky?
Moving containers from Iowa to Kentucky will cost you $747 to $1,788 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,360 to $2,706. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $1,729 to $3,272. 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 Kentucky?
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
$527 to $910.
A two to three-bedroom move will cost
$536 to $1,058,
and moving a home with four or more bedrooms or from Iowa to Kentucky costs from
$669 to $1,280.
These estimates include the estimated fuel cost.
Is moving from Iowa to Kentucky a good idea?
If you’re moving to Kentucky from Iowa, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.
Cost of living: Iowa vs. Kentucky
| Iowa | Kentucky | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $806 | $783 |
| Average home cost | $207,215 | $196,580 |
| Average income (per capita) | $70,571 | $60,183 |
| Cost of Living Index | 89 | 93 |
| Unemployment rate | 3.2% | 4.2% |
| Average Sales Tax | 6.94% | 6.0% |
| State Income Tax | 4.4% | 4.5% |
- Rent is about 3% less expensive in Kentucky than in Iowa.
- Home prices are about 5% lower in Kentucky than in Iowa.
- The average income is about 15% lower in Kentucky than in Iowa.
- Cost of living is 4% lower in Kentucky than in Iowa.
- Kentucky has a higher unemployment rate than Iowa by about 31%.
- Sales taxes are 14% lower in Kentucky than in Iowa.
- Income taxes are 2% higher in Kentucky than in Iowa.
How does life in Kentucky differ from Iowa?
| Kentucky | Iowa | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,512,310 | 3,200,517 |
| Political leaning | Republican 62-36 | Republican 53-45 |
| Summer high | 87ºF | 84ºF |
| Winter low | 24ºF | 10ºF |
| Annual rain | 48" | 35" |
| Annual snow | 11" | 30" |
| Crime index | 20.19 | 18.7 |
- The population of Kentucky is approximately 41% greater than the population of Iowa.
- In the last presidential election, Kentucky voted Republican and Iowa voted Republican.
- The average high in the summertime in Kentucky is 87ºF and in Iowa, it’s 84ºF.
- During the coldest part of the year, Kentucky reaches the temperature of 24ºF and Iowa gets down to 10ºF.
- You can expect about forty-eight inches of annual rainfall in Kentucky versus thirty-five inches of rainfall in Iowa.
- In Kentucky, it snows about eleven inches annually versus thirty inches of snow in Iowa.
- Kentucky has a higher crime rate than Iowa with a crime index of 20.19 vs 18.7.
Comparing the pros of Iowa vs. Kentucky
There are always a lot of reasons to get excited about living somewhere new. These are the best parts of living in Iowa versus Kentucky side by side.
| Pros of living in Iowa | Pros of living in Kentucky |
|---|---|
| Low cost of living | Low cost of living |
| Ample economic opportunity | Abundant outdoor adventures |
| High quality of education | Delicious food and drink |
| No traffic | Horse racing |
| Beautiful outdoors | Four season weather |
Comparing the cons of living in Iowa vs. Kentucky
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 Kentucky.
| Cons of living in Iowa | Cons of living in Kentucky |
|---|---|
| Severe weather conditions | Extreme weather |
| Limited recreational opportunities | Low diversity |
| High taxes | Poor air quality |
| High emphasis on politics | Poor infrastructure |
| Rustic food | Poor education system |
What to know before your move to Kentucky
- Weather: Kentucky has relatively hot, humid, rainy summers, and moderately cold and rainy winters. Kansas rarely experiences the extremes cold of the northern states nor the heat of the state in the Deep South.
- 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: Movers in Kentucky are licensed and regulated by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) – Division of Motor Carriers. Moving companies that operate within the state must carry adequate cargo insurance and file public tariffs detailing the services they offer and the cost for each. The KYTC can assist consumers with resolving disputes with movers, but only after a customer makes a formal written complaint. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
- State Regulator: You can verify a Kentucky moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
- Moving Permits: Kentucky 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 Kentucky. 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 Released Value Protection for free, basic coverage from movers at 60 cents per pound. For comprehensive protection matching your items' full value, consult your moving company for alternative options or consider a third-party insurance provider.
- Moving Checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.
Things to do in Kentucky
While you’re in Kentucky, you won’t be bored. These are some of the coolest places to visit in your new home state:
- Mammoth Cave National Park
- Churchill Downs
- Kentucky Horse Park
- Cumberland Falls State Resort Park
- Daniel Boone National Forest
- Creation Museum
- Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill
- Louisville Zoo
- Newport Aquarium
- Kentucky Kingdom and Hurricane Bay
- Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory
- Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park
- Muhammad Ali Center
- Lost River Cave
- Louisville Mega Cavern
- Great American Dollhouse Museum
- Big Four Bridge
- National Corvette Museum
- Ark Encounter
- Perryville Battlefield State Historic Site
- My Old Kentucky Home State Park
- National Quilt Museum
- Apple Valley Hillbilly Garden and Toyland
- Waverly Hills Sanatorium
- Harland Sanders Cafe and Museum
FAQs
What is the cheapest way to move from Iowa to Kentucky?
The cheapest way to move from Iowa to Kentucky 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 Kentucky?
The main reasons people are moving from Iowa to Kentucky are the amazing upsides of living in Kentucky such as low cost of living and abundant outdoor adventures.
Is it cheaper to live in Iowa or Kentucky?
It is generally cheaper to live in Iowa than in Kentucky. Housing is more affordable in Kentucky, with average rent about 3% less and home prices 5.1% lower than in Iowa. However, taxes are lower in Iowa, most notably income taxes, which are more than 2% less than those paid by Kentucky residents.
How much should you make a year to live comfortably in Kentucky?
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 Kentucky you live For example, larger cities like Alexandria and Ashland will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.
