($1,236) Moving From Michigan to Iowa
Quick answer: The average cost to move from Michigan to Iowa ranges from $509 to $5,984 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 Michigan 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 Michigan to Iowa separately through one of the top car shipping companies.
Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our moving from Iowa to Michigan guide.
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The best Michigan to Iowa movers
Hiring an interstate moving company from Michigan to Iowa 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 Michigan to Iowa:
- 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 Michigan movers?
| Company | Quote | Rating | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
most popular
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Get A Quote |
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1115 Taylor Avenue North, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503 (616) 371-4019 |
| College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | Get A Quote |
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1200 E Oakland Ave, Lansing, MI, 48906 (336) 810-1801 |
| Handle With Care Moving | Get A Quote |
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4260 Varsity Drive, Ann Arbor, MI, 48108 (734) 677-2000 |
Visit our Best Movers in Michigan page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.
How much does it cost to move from Michigan to Iowa?
The table below lays out average cost ranges to move from Michigan to Iowa for different moving services depending on the size of your home.
| Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 Bedroom | $1,236 - $3,781 | $693 - $1,672 | $458 - $828 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,371 - $5,984 | $1,328 - $2,380 | $509 - $1,075 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,155 - $8,578 | $1,703 - $3,105 | $598 - $1,286 |
*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 MI to IA
There are many factors that influence Michigan moving costs. The cost to move from Michigan to Iowa 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 Michigan 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 Michigan to Iowa?
Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Michigan to Iowa will cost between $1,236 and $3,781. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from MI to IA will range from $2,371 to $5,984, and a large move from Michigan to Iowa will cost from $4,155 to $8,578.
How much are moving containers like PODS from Michigan to Iowa?
Moving containers from Michigan to Iowa will cost you $693 to $1,672 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,328 to $2,380. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $1,703 to $3,105. Learn more about PODS cost.
Here are the cheapest moving container companies when moving out of Michigan.
How much is a moving truck from Michigan to Iowa?
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
$458 to $828.
A two to three-bedroom move will cost
$509 to $1,075,
and moving a home with four or more bedrooms or from Michigan to Iowa costs from
$598 to $1,286.
These estimates include the estimated fuel cost.
Is moving from Michigan to Iowa a good idea?
If you’re moving to Iowa from Michigan, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.
Cost of living: Michigan vs. Iowa
| Michigan | Iowa | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $892 | $806 |
| Average home cost | $232,380 | $207,215 |
| Average income (per capita) | $68,505 | $70,571 |
| Cost of Living Index | 92 | 89 |
| Unemployment rate | 4.1% | 3.2% |
| Average Sales Tax | 6.0% | 6.94% |
| State Income Tax | 4.25% | 4.4% |
- Rent is about 10% less expensive in Iowa than in Michigan.
- Home prices are about 11% lower in Iowa than in Michigan.
- The average income is about 3% higher in Iowa than in Michigan.
- Cost of living is 3% lower in Iowa than in Michigan.
- Iowa has a lower unemployment rate than Michigan by about 22%.
- Sales taxes are 16% higher in Iowa than in Michigan.
- Income taxes are 4% higher in Iowa than in Michigan.
How does life in Iowa differ from Michigan?
| Iowa | Michigan | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,200,517 | 10,034,113 |
| Political leaning | Republican 53-45 | Democratic 59-48 |
| Summer high | 84ºF | 81ºF |
| Winter low | 10ºF | 14ºF |
| Annual rain | 35" | 34" |
| Annual snow | 30" | 64" |
| Crime index | 18.7 | 18.76 |
- The population of Iowa is approximately 68% lower than the population of Michigan.
- In the last presidential election, Iowa voted Republican and Michigan voted Democratic.
- The average high in the summertime in Iowa is 84ºF and in Michigan, it’s 81ºF.
- During the coldest part of the year, Iowa reaches the temperature of 10ºF and Michigan gets down to 14ºF.
- You can expect about thirty-five inches of annual rainfall in Iowa versus thirty-four inches of rainfall in Michigan.
- In Iowa, it snows about thirty inches annually versus sixty-four inches of snow in Michigan.
- Iowa has a lower crime rate than Michigan with a crime index of 18.76 vs 18.7.
Comparing the pros of Michigan vs. Iowa
There are always a lot of reasons to get excited about living somewhere new. These are the best parts of living in Michigan versus Iowa side by side.
| Pros of living in Michigan | Pros of living in Iowa |
|---|---|
| Scenic beauty | Low cost of living |
| Good higher education | Ample economic opportunity |
| Bountiful recreational opportunities | High quality of education |
| Low cost of living | No traffic |
| Beautiful lakes | Beautiful outdoors |
Comparing the cons of living in Michigan vs. Iowa
Not everything is sunshine and rainbows all the time, no matter where you live. Here are some things to be aware of when leaving Michigan for Iowa.
| Cons of living in Michigan | Cons of living in Iowa |
|---|---|
| Cold snowy winters | Severe weather conditions |
| Spotty economic opportunity | Limited recreational opportunities |
| Poor transportation infrastructure | High taxes |
| Expensive education | High emphasis on politics |
| Thick accents | Rustic food |
What to know before your move to Iowa
- Weather: Iowa has a humid continental climate throughout the state. Snowfall is common in Iowa. Spring brings in severe weather season. Iowa has about 50 thunderstorm days per year and has a tornado season. Iowa is known for hot and humid summers. Be sure to check the weather before your move, especially during the springtime.
- 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: When moving within Iowa, make sure to hire a company that is licensed by the Iowa Department of Transportation. Each household goods mover in the state should have an Iowa Motor Carrier (IOWAMC) Number, which means they’ve met minimum insurance and highway safety requirements. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
- State Regulator: You can verify a Iowa moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
- Moving Permits: Iowa 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 Iowa. 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 cost-free Released Value Protection from movers for basic coverage at 60 cents per pound.
- Moving Checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.
Things to do in Iowa
While you’re in Iowa, you won’t be bored. These are some of the coolest places to visit in your new home state:
- Iowa State Capitol
- Amana Colonies
- Blank Park Zoo
- Greater Des Moines Botanical Center
- Lost Island Waterpark
- National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium
- Pikes Peak State Park
- Visit Okoboji
- Field of Dreams
- Grotto of the Redemption
- National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library
- Buffalo Bill Museum
- Herbert Hoover National Historic Site
- Adventureland Park
- Maquoketa Caves State Park
- Pappajohn Sculpture Park
- Ledges State Park
- American Gothic House & Center
- Brucemore
- Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad
FAQs
What is the cheapest way to move from Michigan to Iowa?
The cheapest way to move from Michigan to Iowa 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 Michigan to Iowa?
The main reasons people are moving from Michigan to Iowa are the amazing upsides of living in Iowa such as low cost of living and ample economic opportunity.
Is it cheaper to live in Michigan or Iowa?
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 10.8% 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 Iowa?
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 Iowa you live For example, larger cities like Altoona and Ames will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.
