($1,079) Moving From Minnesota to Iowa
Quick answer: The average cost to move from Minnesota to Iowa ranges from $391 to $5,266 and takes one-four 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 Minnesota 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 Minnesota 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 Minnesota guide.
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The best Minnesota to Iowa movers
Hiring an interstate moving company from Minnesota 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 Minnesota 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 Minnesota movers?
| Company | Quote | Rating | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
most popular
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Get A Quote |
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290 Chester St, St. Paul, MN, 55107 (651) 210-8271 |
| Metcalf Moving & Storage | Get A Quote |
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1255 East Highway 36, St. Paul, MN, 55109 (651) 484-0211 |
| AAA Movers | Get A Quote |
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8201 Brooklyn Blvd #100, Minnesota, MN, 55445 (612) 588-6683 |
Visit our Best Movers in Minnesota page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.
How much does it cost to move from Minnesota to Iowa?
The table below lays out average cost ranges to move from Minnesota to Iowa for different moving services depending on the size of your home.
| Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 Bedroom | $1,079 - $3,151 | $690 - $1,621 | $386 - $674 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,921 - $5,266 | $1,236 - $2,324 | $391 - $848 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,391 - $7,451 | $1,576 - $2,997 | $516 - $930 |
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 407 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 MN to IA
There are many factors that influence Minnesota moving costs. The cost to move from Minnesota 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 Minnesota 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 Minnesota to Iowa?
Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Minnesota to Iowa will cost between $1,079 and $3,151. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from MN to IA will range from $1,921 to $5,266, and a large move from Minnesota to Iowa will cost from $3,391 to $7,451.
How much are moving containers like PODS from Minnesota to Iowa?
Moving containers from Minnesota to Iowa will cost you $690 to $1,621 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,236 to $2,324. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $1,576 to $2,997. Learn more about PODS cost.
Here are the cheapest moving container companies when moving out of Minnesota.
How much is a moving truck from Minnesota 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
$386 to $674.
A two to three-bedroom move will cost
$391 to $848,
and moving a home with four or more bedrooms or from Minnesota to Iowa costs from
$516 to $930.
These estimates include the estimated fuel cost.
Is moving from Minnesota to Iowa a good idea?
If you’re moving to Iowa from Minnesota, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.
Cost of living: Minnesota vs. Iowa
| Minnesota | Iowa | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,010 | $806 |
| Average home cost | $324,215 | $207,215 |
| Average income (per capita) | $84,313 | $70,571 |
| Cost of Living Index | 94 | 89 |
| Unemployment rate | 3.2% | 3.2% |
| Average Sales Tax | 6.88% | 6.94% |
| State Income Tax | 9.85% | 4.4% |
- Rent is about 20% less expensive in Iowa than in Minnesota.
- Home prices are about 36% lower in Iowa than in Minnesota.
- The average income is about 16% lower in Iowa than in Minnesota.
- Cost of living is 5% lower in Iowa than in Minnesota.
- Iowa and Minnesota have about the same unemployment rate.
- Sales taxes are the same in Iowa and Minnesota.
- Income taxes are 55% lower in Iowa than in Minnesota.
How does life in Iowa differ from Minnesota?
| Iowa | Minnesota | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,200,517 | 5,717,184 |
| Political leaning | Republican 53-45 | Democratic 53-45 |
| Summer high | 84ºF | 81ºF |
| Winter low | 10ºF | 2ºF |
| Annual rain | 35" | 29" |
| Annual snow | 30" | 47" |
| Crime index | 18.7 | 23.8 |
- The population of Iowa is approximately 44% lower than the population of Minnesota.
- In the last presidential election, Iowa voted Republican and Minnesota voted Democratic.
- The average high in the summertime in Iowa is 84ºF and in Minnesota, it’s 81ºF.
- During the coldest part of the year, Iowa reaches the temperature of 10ºF and Minnesota gets down to 2ºF.
- You can expect about thirty-five inches of annual rainfall in Iowa versus twenty-nine inches of rainfall in Minnesota.
- In Iowa, it snows about thirty inches annually versus forty-seven inches of snow in Minnesota.
- Iowa has a lower crime rate than Minnesota with a crime index of 23.8 vs 18.7.
Comparing the pros of Minnesota vs. Iowa
There are always a lot of reasons to get excited about living somewhere new. These are the best parts of living in Minnesota versus Iowa side by side.
| Pros of living in Minnesota | Pros of living in Iowa |
|---|---|
| Ample economic opportunity | Low cost of living |
| Bountiful recreational outdoor opportunities | Ample economic opportunity |
| Multitudinous lakes | High quality of education |
| Diverse festivals | No traffic |
| Friendly people | Beautiful outdoors |
Comparing the cons of living in Minnesota 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 Minnesota for Iowa.
| Cons of living in Minnesota | Cons of living in Iowa |
|---|---|
| Bland food | Severe weather conditions |
| Cold snowy winters | Limited recreational opportunities |
| Terrible traffic | High taxes |
| High tax burden | 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 Minnesota to Iowa?
The cheapest way to move from Minnesota 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 Minnesota to Iowa?
The main reasons people are moving from Minnesota 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 Minnesota or Iowa?
It is generally cheaper to live in Iowa than in Minnesota. Housing is much more affordable in Iowa, with average rent about 20% less and home prices 36.1% lower than in Minnesota. Taxes are also lower in Iowa, most notably income taxes, which are more than 50% less than those paid by Minnesota 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.
