Things to know before moving from Iowa to El Paso, TX

Cost of living: Iowa vs El Paso, TX

Iowa El Paso
Average rent cost $914 $1,510
Average home value $220,277 $223,218
Average income (per capita) $70,571 $58,354
Unemployment rate 3% 5%
State income tax 4% 0%
  • Rent is about 65% more expensive in El Paso than in Iowa.
  • Home prices are about 1% higher in El Paso than in Iowa.
  • The average income is about 17% lower in El Paso than in Iowa.
  • El Paso has a higher unemployment rate than Iowa by about 57%.
  • Income taxes are 100% lower in El Paso than in Iowa.

How life is different in El Paso from Iowa

El Paso Iowa
Population 678,815 3,207,004
Political leaning Republican 56-42 Republican 53-45
Summer high 96ºF 84ºF
Winter low 31ºF 10ºF
Annual rain 10" 35"
Annual snow 3" 30"
Crime index 32.51 16.18
  • The population of El Paso is approximately 79% lower than the population of Iowa.
  • In the last presidential election, El Paso voted Republican and Iowa voted Republican.
  • The average high in the summertime in El Paso is 96ºF and in Iowa, it’s 84ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, El Paso reaches the temperature of 31ºF and Iowa gets down to 10ºF.
  • You can expect about 10 inches of annual rainfall in El Paso vs 35 inches of rainfall in Iowa.
  • In El Paso, it snows about 3 inches annually vs 30 inches of snow in Iowa.
  • El Paso has a higher crime rate than Iowa with a crime index of 32.51 vs 16.18.

Things to do in El Paso

Whether you’re looking for parks, museums, sports, or even universities, you’ll be happy to find a plethora of these in El Paso.

Museums in El Pasotoggle

  • El Paso Museum of Art
  • El Paso Museum of History
  • El Paso Museum of Archaeology
  • Centennial Museum and Chihuahuan Desert Gardens
  • The Ysleta del Sur Pueblo Cultural Center
  • El Paso Holocaust Museum and Study Center
  • Fort Bliss and Old Ironsides Museums
  • War Eagles Air Museum
  • Magoffin Home State Historic Site
  • El Paso Children’s Museum & Science Center

Parks in El Pasotoggle

  • Westside Community Park
  • Vista del Valle Park
  • Tom Lea Park
  • Madeline Park
  • Franklin Mountains State Park

Sports Teams in El Pasotoggle

  • El Paso Chihuahuas (TAW)
  • El Paso Locomotive FC (USLC)
  • El Paso Rhinos (WSHL)
  • UTEP Miners (NCAA)

Universities in El Pasotoggle

  • University of Texas at El Paso
  • Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center at El Paso
  • Paul L. Foster School of Medicine
  • Texas Tech College of Architecture at El Paso
  • Brightwood College
  • Park University
  • Southwest University
  • Webster University
  • University of Phoenix

Other considerations when moving to El Paso, TX

  • Weather: With a desert climate, El Paso's weather is typically predictable but some winters can have extreme weather. Roads may become icy on some days in the winter which would affect your move.
  • 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: In-state movers operating in the Lone Star State are legally required to be licensed by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TXDMV), which issues 10-digit TXDMV numbers to commercial carriers. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Texas moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
  • Moving permits: Texas 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 and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Texas. Get started here.
  • Mover's insurance: Every state has their own requirements when it comes to insurance. In Texas, movers typically provide Released Value Protection at no additional cost, covering items at 60 cents per pound. For enhanced protection, consider discussing Full Value Protection options with the moving company. Alternatively, explore third-party insurance providers for customized plans. It's crucial to understand coverage limits, potential additional costs, and read reviews to make an informed decision about your moving insurance in Texas.
  • Moving checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.

Compare the pros and cons of Iowa vs. El Paso, TX

Comparing the pros of Iowa vs. El Paso, TX:

There are always a lot of reasons to get excited about living somewhere new. These are the best parts of living in Iowa vs El Paso side-by-side.

Pros of living in Iowa Pros of living in El Paso, TX
Low cost of living Low cost of living
Ample economic opportunity Pleasant climate
High quality of education Quality schooling
No traffic Bountiful outdoor activities
Beautiful outdoors Low crime rate

Comparing the cons of living in Iowa vs. El Paso, TX:

Not everything is sunshine and rainbows, these are the things to be aware of when leaving Iowa for El Paso.

Cons of living in Iowa Cons of living in El Paso, TX
Severe weather conditions Hot summers
Limited recreational opportunities Limited jobs
High taxes Terrible traffic
High emphasis on politics Poor wages
Rustic food Isolated location

FAQ

How long does a move from Iowa to El Paso take?

The time frame for a move from Iowa to El Paso, TX, varies based on your moving method and starting location. The actual loading up of your items should not take more than a day, even with DIY moves.

Obviously, the further upstate you are in Iowa, the longer the drive time to El Paso will be. If you’re driving a rental truck, the move could be completed in one or two days, on average, depending on your route and how often you stop.

With professional movers or moving containers, delivery times to El Paso from Iowa can range from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the company’s schedule and transit logistics. You can always ask for a general timeline before booking.

How far in advance should I book movers when moving from Iowa to El Paso?

Because of the 1174-mile move, it’s best to book your move from Iowa to El Paso as soon as you have your moving details. Ideally, you’d book your move two to three months ahead of time.

What time of year is the cheapest to move to El Paso, TX?

With the summer highs of 96ºF and the winter lows of 31ºF, most people move to El Paso from Iowa during the spring and fall months. To avoid competing during those busy moving seasons, you could save some money by booking your move to El Paso during summer or winter.

Helpful moving resources