($1,249) Moving From Iowa to Michigan
Quick answer: The average cost to move from Iowa to Michigan ranges from $489 to $5,367 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 Michigan separately through one of the top car shipping companies.
Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our moving from Michigan to Iowa guide.
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The best Iowa to Michigan movers
Hiring an interstate moving company from Iowa to Michigan 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 Michigan:
- 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 Michigan?
The table below lays out average cost ranges to move from Iowa to Michigan for different moving services depending on the size of your home.
| Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 Bedroom | $1,249 - $3,568 | $701 - $1,637 | $477 - $863 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,260 - $5,367 | $1,225 - $2,605 | $489 - $1,065 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,724 - $8,008 | $1,669 - $3,105 | $592 - $1,199 |
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 580 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 MI
There are many factors that influence Iowa moving costs. The cost to move from Iowa to Michigan 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 Michigan?
Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Iowa to Michigan will cost between $1,249 and $3,568. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from IA to MI will range from $2,260 to $5,367, and a large move from Iowa to Michigan will cost from $3,724 to $8,008.
How much are moving containers like PODS from Iowa to Michigan?
Moving containers from Iowa to Michigan will cost you $701 to $1,637 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,225 to $2,605. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $1,669 to $3,105. 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 Michigan?
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
$477 to $863.
A two to three-bedroom move will cost
$489 to $1,065,
and moving a home with four or more bedrooms or from Iowa to Michigan costs from
$592 to $1,199.
These estimates include the estimated fuel cost.
Is moving from Iowa to Michigan a good idea?
If you’re moving to Michigan from Iowa, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.
Cost of living: Iowa vs. Michigan
| Iowa | Michigan | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $806 | $892 |
| Average home cost | $207,215 | $232,380 |
| Average income (per capita) | $70,571 | $68,505 |
| Cost of Living Index | 89 | 92 |
| Unemployment rate | 3.2% | 4.1% |
| Average Sales Tax | 6.94% | 6.0% |
| State Income Tax | 4.4% | 4.25% |
- Rent is about 11% more expensive in Michigan than in Iowa.
- Home prices are about 12% higher in Michigan than in Iowa.
- The average income is about 3% lower in Michigan than in Iowa.
- Cost of living is 3% lower in Michigan than in Iowa.
- Michigan has a higher unemployment rate than Iowa by about 28%.
- Sales taxes are 14% lower in Michigan than in Iowa.
- Income taxes are 3% lower in Michigan than in Iowa.
How does life in Michigan differ from Iowa?
| Michigan | Iowa | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 10,034,113 | 3,200,517 |
| Political leaning | Democratic 59-48 | Republican 53-45 |
| Summer high | 81ºF | 84ºF |
| Winter low | 14ºF | 10ºF |
| Annual rain | 34" | 35" |
| Annual snow | 64" | 30" |
| Crime index | 18.76 | 18.7 |
- The population of Michigan is approximately 214% greater than the population of Iowa.
- In the last presidential election, Michigan voted Democratic and Iowa voted Republican.
- The average high in the summertime in Michigan is 81ºF and in Iowa, it’s 84ºF.
- During the coldest part of the year, Michigan reaches the temperature of 14ºF and Iowa gets down to 10ºF.
- You can expect about thirty-four inches of annual rainfall in Michigan versus thirty-five inches of rainfall in Iowa.
- In Michigan, it snows about sixty-four inches annually versus thirty inches of snow in Iowa.
- Michigan has a higher crime rate than Iowa with a crime index of 18.76 vs 18.7.
Comparing the pros of Iowa vs. Michigan
There are always a lot of reasons to get excited about living somewhere new. These are the best parts of living in Iowa versus Michigan side by side.
| Pros of living in Iowa | Pros of living in Michigan |
|---|---|
| Low cost of living | Scenic beauty |
| Ample economic opportunity | Good higher education |
| High quality of education | Bountiful recreational opportunities |
| No traffic | Low cost of living |
| Beautiful outdoors | Beautiful lakes |
Comparing the cons of living in Iowa vs. Michigan
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 Michigan.
| Cons of living in Iowa | Cons of living in Michigan |
|---|---|
| Severe weather conditions | Cold snowy winters |
| Limited recreational opportunities | Spotty economic opportunity |
| High taxes | Poor transportation infrastructure |
| High emphasis on politics | Expensive education |
| Rustic food | Thick accents |
What to know before your move to Michigan
- Weather: Michigan has a continental climate, although there are two distinct regions. The southern and central parts of the Lower Peninsula (south of Saginaw Bay and from the Grand Rapids area southward) have a warmer climate with hot summers and cold winters. The northern part of the Lower Peninsula and the entire Upper Peninsula has a more severe climate (Köppen Dfb), with warm, but shorter summers and longer, cold to very cold winters. Some parts of the state average high temperatures below freezing from December through February, and into early March in the far northern parts. During the winter through the middle of February, the state is frequently subjected to heavy lake-effect snow. The state averages 30 days of thunderstorm activity per year. These can be severe, especially in the southern part of the state. The state averages 17 tornadoes per year, which are more common in the state's extreme southern section.
- 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: The agency regulating local and intrastate household goods movers in Michigan is the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC). State regulation and oversight activities include commercial vehicle registration and safety compliance, review of published tariff rates, licensing, and consumer protection efforts. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
- State Regulator: You can verify a Michigan moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
- Moving Permits: Michigan 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 Michigan. 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. In Alabama, Massachusetts, and Michigan, choose the economical option of Released Value Protection, provided by movers at no extra cost. However, it offers minimal coverage at 60 cents per pound per article. For comprehensive coverage of your items' full value, consult with your moving company for alternatives or explore 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 Michigan
While you’re in Michigan, you won’t be bored. These are some of the coolest places to visit in your new home state:
- Mackinac Island
- Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
- Henry Ford Museum
- Michigan State Capitol
- University of Michigan
- Isle Royale National Park
- Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
- Colonial Michilimackinac
- Detroit Institute of Arts
- Windmill Island Gardens
- Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
- Detroit Zoo
- Michigan History Center
- Mackinac Bridge
- Soo Locks Boat Tour
- Belle Isle
- Motown Historical Museum
- Michigan’s Adventure
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum
- Kitch-iti-Kipi
FAQs
What is the cheapest way to move from Iowa to Michigan?
The cheapest way to move from Iowa to Michigan 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 Michigan?
The main reasons people are moving from Iowa to Michigan are the amazing upsides of living in Michigan such as scenic beauty and good higher education.
Is it cheaper to live in Iowa or Michigan?
It is generally cheaper to live in Iowa than in Michigan. Housing is more affordable in Iowa, with average rent about 10% less and home prices 11% lower than in Michigan. However, taxes are lower in Michigan, most notably income taxes, which are more than 3% less than those paid by Iowa residents.
How much should you make a year to live comfortably in Michigan?
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 Michigan you live For example, larger cities like Adrian and Allendale will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.
