($1,239) Moving From Iowa to North Carolina

Quick answer: The average cost to move from Iowa to North Carolina ranges from $770 to $6,354 and takes two-eight 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 North Carolina separately through one of the top car shipping companies.

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

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The best Iowa to North Carolina movers

Hiring an interstate moving company from Iowa to North Carolina 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 North Carolina:

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
Best for Quick Quotes
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
(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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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.8 / 5
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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
Claeys Brothers Moving & Storage Inc Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.72 overall rating
5600 Harbor Dr, Sioux City, IA, 51111
(712) 252-1335
Action Moving & Storage, Inc. Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.52 overall rating
514 Clark St, Sioux City, IA, 51101
(712) 252-1938

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 North Carolina?

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

Move size Moving company Moving container Rental truck
Studio / 1 Bedroom $1,239 - $4,741 $849 - $2,053 $686 - $1,225
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,484 - $6,354 $1,583 - $3,037 $770 - $1,610
4+ bedrooms $4,407 - $7,750 $1,995 - $3,964 $931 - $1,773

*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 1,068 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 NC

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

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Iowa to North Carolina will cost between $1,239 and $4,741. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from IA to NC will range from $2,484 to $6,354, and a large move from Iowa to North Carolina will cost from $4,407 to $7,750.

How much are moving containers like PODS from Iowa to North Carolina?

Moving containers from Iowa to North Carolina will cost you $849 to $2,053 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,583 to $3,037. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $1,995 to $3,964. 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 North Carolina?

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 $686 to $1,225. A two to three-bedroom move will cost $770 to $1,610, and moving a home with four or more bedrooms or from Iowa to North Carolina costs from $931 to $1,773.
These estimates include the estimated fuel cost.

Is moving from Iowa to North Carolina a good idea?

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

Cost of living: Iowa vs. North Carolina

Iowa North Carolina
Average rent cost $914 $1,093
Average home cost $220,277 $328,715
Average income (per capita) $70,571 $66,186
Cost of Living Index 89 96
Unemployment rate 3.0% 3.7%
Average Sales Tax 6.94% 6.98%
State Income Tax 4.4% 4.5%
  • Rent is about 20% more expensive in North Carolina than in Iowa.
  • Home prices are about 49% higher in North Carolina than in Iowa.
  • The average income is about 6% lower in North Carolina than in Iowa.
  • Cost of living is 8% lower in North Carolina than in Iowa.
  • North Carolina has a higher unemployment rate than Iowa by about 23%.
  • Sales taxes are the same in North Carolina and Iowa.
  • Income taxes are 2% higher in North Carolina than in Iowa.

How does life in North Carolina differ from Iowa?

North Carolina Iowa
Population 10,835,491 3,207,004
Political leaning Republican 51-49 Republican 53-45
Summer high 88ºF 84ºF
Winter low 29ºF 10ºF
Annual rain 48" 35"
Annual snow 4" 30"
Crime index 24.69 16.18
  • The population of North Carolina is approximately 238% greater than the population of Iowa.
  • In the last presidential election, North Carolina voted Republican and Iowa voted Republican.
  • The average high in the summertime in North Carolina is 88ºF and in Iowa, it’s 84ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, North Carolina reaches the temperature of 29ºF and Iowa gets down to 10ºF.
  • You can expect about forty-eight inches of annual rainfall in North Carolina versus thirty-five inches of rainfall in Iowa.
  • In North Carolina, it snows about four inches annually versus thirty inches of snow in Iowa.
  • North Carolina has a higher crime rate than Iowa with a crime index of 24.69 vs 16.18.

Comparing the pros of Iowa vs. North Carolina

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

Pros of living in Iowa Pros of living in North Carolina
Low cost of living Great communities
Ample economic opportunity Low cost of living
High quality of education Ample economic opportunity
No traffic High quality of life
Beautiful outdoors Bountiful recreational opportunities

Comparing the cons of living in Iowa vs. North Carolina

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 North Carolina.

Cons of living in Iowa Cons of living in North Carolina
Severe weather conditions Hurricanes
Limited recreational opportunities Bland weather
High taxes High crime rate
High emphasis on politics High tax burden
Rustic food Poor education

What to know before your move to North Carolina

  • Weather: North Carolina has mild weather year round, however, snow may affect your move in some parts of the state during winter time.
  • 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: For-profit household goods carriers in the state fall under the jurisdiction of the North Carolina Utilities Commission, Transportation Division. All legitimate movers should have a “C Number” issued by the commission, signifying that they’ve met minimum insurance requirements and adhere to the provisions outlined in the state’s Maximum Rate Tariff (MRT). Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State Regulator: You can verify a North Carolina moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
  • Moving Permits: North Carolina 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 North Carolina. 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 no-cost, minimal coverage from movers, with responsibility limited to 60 cents per pound per article. For comprehensive coverage, explore alternatives with your chosen moving company 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 North Carolina

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

  • Biltmore Estate
  • Great Smoky Mountains National Park
  • USS North Carolina Battleship
  • North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
  • North Carolina Zoo
  • Blue Ridge Parkway
  • Wright Brothers National Memorial
  • Chimney Rock State Park
  • NASCAR Hall of Fame
  • Discovery Place
  • Morehead Planetarium and Science Center
  • Linville Gorge and Falls
  • Carolina Beach State Park
  • North Carolina Aquariums
  • Outer Banks
  • William B. Umstead State Park
  • Pullen Park
  • Marbles Kids Museum
  • Dead Broke Farm

FAQs

What is the cheapest way to move from Iowa to North Carolina?

The cheapest way to move from Iowa to North Carolina 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 North Carolina?

The main reasons people are moving from Iowa to North Carolina are the amazing upsides of living in North Carolina such as great communities and low cost of living.

Is it cheaper to live in Iowa or North Carolina?

It is generally cheaper to live in Iowa than in North Carolina. Housing is much more affordable in Iowa, with average rent about 16% less and home prices 33% lower than in North Carolina. Taxes are also lower in Iowa, most notably income taxes, which are more than 2% less than those paid by North Carolina residents.

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

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 North Carolina you live For example, larger cities like Albemarle and Anderson Creek will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.

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