($1,192) Moving From Iowa to Pennsylvania
Quick answer: The average cost to move from Iowa to Pennsylvania ranges from $647 to $5,889 and takes two-seven 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 Pennsylvania separately through one of the top car shipping companies.
Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our moving from Pennsylvania to Iowa guide.
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The best Iowa to Pennsylvania movers
Hiring an interstate moving company from Iowa to Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania:
- 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 |
| Claeys Brothers Moving & Storage Inc | Get A Quote |
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5600 Harbor Dr, Sioux City, IA, 51111 (712) 252-1335 |
| Action Moving & Storage, Inc. | Get A Quote |
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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 Pennsylvania?
The table below lays out average cost ranges to move from Iowa to Pennsylvania for different moving services depending on the size of your home.
| Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 Bedroom | $1,192 - $4,408 | $770 - $2,024 | $635 - $1,110 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,301 - $5,889 | $1,424 - $2,679 | $647 - $1,333 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,044 - $7,512 | $1,916 - $3,733 | $853 - $1,669 |
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 907 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 PA
There are many factors that influence Iowa moving costs. The cost to move from Iowa to Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania?
Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Iowa to Pennsylvania will cost between $1,192 and $4,408. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from IA to PA will range from $2,301 to $5,889, and a large move from Iowa to Pennsylvania will cost from $4,044 to $7,512.
How much are moving containers like PODS from Iowa to Pennsylvania?
Moving containers from Iowa to Pennsylvania will cost you $770 to $2,024 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,424 to $2,679. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $1,916 to $3,733. 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 Pennsylvania?
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
$635 to $1,110.
A two to three-bedroom move will cost
$647 to $1,333,
and moving a home with four or more bedrooms or from Iowa to Pennsylvania costs from
$853 to $1,669.
These estimates include the estimated fuel cost.
Is moving from Iowa to Pennsylvania a good idea?
If you’re moving to Pennsylvania from Iowa, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.
Cost of living: Iowa vs. Pennsylvania
| Iowa | Pennsylvania | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $914 | $1,110 |
| Average home cost | $220,277 | $268,824 |
| Average income (per capita) | $70,571 | $73,170 |
| Cost of Living Index | 89 | 99 |
| Unemployment rate | 3.0% | 3.4% |
| Average Sales Tax | 6.94% | 6.34% |
| State Income Tax | 4.4% | 3.07% |
- Rent is about 21% more expensive in Pennsylvania than in Iowa.
- Home prices are about 22% higher in Pennsylvania than in Iowa.
- The average income is about 4% higher in Pennsylvania than in Iowa.
- Cost of living is 11% lower in Pennsylvania than in Iowa.
- Pennsylvania has a higher unemployment rate than Iowa by about 13%.
- Sales taxes are 9% lower in Pennsylvania than in Iowa.
- Income taxes are 30% lower in Pennsylvania than in Iowa.
How does life in Pennsylvania differ from Iowa?
| Pennsylvania | Iowa | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 12,961,683 | 3,207,004 |
| Political leaning | Republican 51-49 | Republican 53-45 |
| Summer high | 83ºF | 84ºF |
| Winter low | 19ºF | 10ºF |
| Annual rain | 44" | 35" |
| Annual snow | 38" | 30" |
| Crime index | 17.62 | 16.18 |
- The population of Pennsylvania is approximately 304% greater than the population of Iowa.
- In the last presidential election, Pennsylvania voted Republican and Iowa voted Republican.
- The average high in the summertime in Pennsylvania is 83ºF and in Iowa, it’s 84ºF.
- During the coldest part of the year, Pennsylvania reaches the temperature of 19ºF and Iowa gets down to 10ºF.
- You can expect about forty-four inches of annual rainfall in Pennsylvania versus thirty-five inches of rainfall in Iowa.
- In Pennsylvania, it snows about thirty-eight inches annually versus thirty inches of snow in Iowa.
- Pennsylvania has a higher crime rate than Iowa with a crime index of 17.62 vs 16.18.
Comparing the pros of Iowa vs. Pennsylvania
There are always a lot of reasons to get excited about living somewhere new. These are the best parts of living in Iowa versus Pennsylvania side by side.
| Pros of living in Iowa | Pros of living in Pennsylvania |
|---|---|
| Low cost of living | Low cost of living |
| Ample economic opportunity | Abundant fun and recreational activities |
| High quality of education | Beautiful landscapes |
| No traffic | Ample economic opportunity |
| Beautiful outdoors | Excellent education options |
Comparing the cons of living in Iowa vs. Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania.
| Cons of living in Iowa | Cons of living in Pennsylvania |
|---|---|
| Severe weather conditions | Harsh winter weather |
| Limited recreational opportunities | Bad driving conditions |
| High taxes | Nuclear power plants |
| High emphasis on politics | Unpredictable weather |
| Rustic food | High taxes on gasoline |
What to know before your move to Pennsylvania
- Weather: Pennsylvania experiences cold winters and humid summers. Summers are generally hot and humid. Moving toward the mountainous interior of the state, the winter climate becomes colder, the number of cloudy days increases, and snowfall amounts are greater. Tornadoes occur annually in the state, sometimes in large numbers, such as 30 recorded tornadoes in 2011; generally speaking, these tornadoes do not cause significant damage.
- 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 decades movers In Pennsylvania were regulated by the Public Utility Commission (PUC). Each company was issued a PUC Number and was required to abide by a universal publicly published tariff that established the rates movers could charge for various services. Now, some sources claim that the PUC no longer regulates in-state movers, and it appears as though the PUC’s website is no longer functioning. So if you’re moving within Pennsylvania, you’ll want to address these issues with your moving company representative and if possible, contact the state directly. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
- State Regulator: You can verify a Pennsylvania moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
- Moving Permits: Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania. 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 Pennsylvania, movers typically offer Released Value Protection at no extra cost, covering items at 60 cents per pound. For more comprehensive coverage, inquire about Full Value Protection with the moving company, or explore third-party insurance options for tailored plans. Consider coverage limits, additional costs, and reviews before making a decision.
- Moving Checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.
Things to do in Pennsylvania
While you’re in Pennsylvania, you won’t be bored. These are some of the coolest places to visit in your new home state:
- Hersheypark
- Gettysburg National Military Park
- Fallingwater
- Philadelphia Museum of Art
- Visit Strasburg
- Independence National Park and the Liberty Bell
- Valley Forge National Historical Park
- Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
- Eastern State Penitentiary
- Presque Isle State Park
- Andy Warhol Museum
- Longwood Gardens
- Ohiopyle State Park
- Knoebels Amusement Resort
- Flight 93 National Memorial
- Ricketts Glen State Park
- Carnegie Museum of Natural History
- Lake Tobias Wildlife Park
- Eisenhower National Historic Site
- Reading Terminal Market
FAQs
What is the cheapest way to move from Iowa to Pennsylvania?
The cheapest way to move from Iowa to Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania?
The main reasons people are moving from Iowa to Pennsylvania are the amazing upsides of living in Pennsylvania such as low cost of living and abundant fun and recreational activities.
Is it cheaper to live in Iowa or Pennsylvania?
It is generally cheaper to live in Iowa than in Pennsylvania. Housing is more affordable in Iowa, with average rent about 18% less and home prices 18% lower than in Pennsylvania. However, taxes are lower in Pennsylvania, most notably income taxes, which are more than 30% less than those paid by Iowa residents.
How much should you make a year to live comfortably in Pennsylvania?
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 Pennsylvania you live For example, larger cities like Abington and Adams will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.
