($1,094) Cost of Moving From South Carolina to Iowa

Quick answer: The average cost to move from South Carolina to Iowa ranges from $780 to $6,040 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.

Professional
$1,094 – $2,807
Safeway Moving
star star star star star 4.85 / 5
read our full review
Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran owned
Container
$852 – $1,382
Pods
star star star star star 4.8 / 5
read our full review
Unlimited storage
3 container sizes
10% discount
Freight
$751 – $1,361
MovingYourself
star star star star star 4.5 / 5
read our full review
Fast delivery
Nationwide
100+ miles moves
Rental Truck
$736 – $1,281
Budget Truck Rental
star star star star star 4.3 / 5
read our full review
Affordable pricing
Online pricing
Several discounts

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

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The best South Carolina to Iowa full-service movers

Moving from South Carolina to Iowa? With thousands of moving companies in the U.S., hiring the right interstate moving company can be a challenge.

To simplify your search, we've selected the most reliable movers based on our detailed analysis of customer reviews, pricing, and service offerings.

Start with these top long-distance moving companies serving South Carolina for your Iowa relocation:

Best Overall Value
Licensedcheckmark
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
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
read our full review
(855) 650-0657
Best for personalized service
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
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
read our full review
(980) 217-6841
Most Experienced Mover
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
(866) 835-2392
At A Glance
  • Experienced & fully trained moving crews
  • Specializes in moving art & antiques
  • Competitive pricing
  • Can handle last-minute moves
  • Climate-controlled storage
read our full review
(866) 835-2392
Best Nationwide Coverage
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.8 / 5
At A Glance
  • 30 days storage included
  • Local and long distance moving options
  • Unlimited loading/unloading time
  • Store on property or at a facility
read our full review
Check prices
Best customized Plans
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
(844) 950-2963
At A Glance
  • Custom crates for electronics & art
  • Satellite shipment tracking
  • 1,500 local agents covering all 50 states
  • Self-packing option
  • No deposit required
read our full review
(844) 950-2963

The best South Carolina to Iowa moving container companies

Moving containers allow you to save money without having to go the full DIY route. While you’ll have to handle loading and unloading, the container company has you covered on transportation — they’ll pick up your pod in South Carolina and drop it off at your new home in Iowa.

Check out these highly rated moving container companies:

Best Nationwide Coverage
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.8 / 5
At A Glance
  • 30 days storage included
  • Local and long distance moving options
  • Unlimited loading/unloading time
  • Store on property or at a facility
read our full review
Check prices
Best value container
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 5 / 5
Check prices Visit Website
At A Glance
  • Long distance moves only
  • Only pay for the space you use
  • No deposit or initial fees
  • Fast delivery time frames
read our full review
Check prices Check prices
best for large moves
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Check prices (352) 322-2920
At A Glance
  • Combines affordability of DIY moving with convenience of a truck and driver
  • Only pay for the truck space you use
  • Offers vehicle shipping
read our full review
Check prices (352) 322-2920

The best South Carolina to Iowa moving truck rentals

Moving truck rentals are the most cost-effective way to move from South Carolina to Iowa, although they’re also the most labor-intensive. You’ll save big by doing all the heavy lifting and driving.

We like these rental moving trucks:

Best Value Rental
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.3 / 5
Check prices Visit Website
At A Glance
  • Competitive base prices with specialized discounts
  • Round-trip and one-way moves available
  • User-friendly website makes it easy to book the right truck
read our full review
Check prices Check prices
Best Availability
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.15 / 5
Check prices (800) 468-4285
At A Glance
  • More than 20,000 locations with prominent pricing
  • Rental options include everything from pick-up trucks to 26-foot moving trucks
  • Gentle-Ride Suspension add protection to avoid damaging your items during transit
  • U-Box moving containers available if you don't want to drive
read our full review
Check prices (800) 468-4285

The best South Carolina to Iowa labor-only movers

If you need help moving some or all of your items into a container or rental truck, you can hire labor-only movers. They’ll send over a professional crew the right size for your move and you’ll pay only for the amount of time they work.

Consider one of these top-notch moving labor companies for your move from South Carolina to Iowa:

Best Labor Only
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Check prices Visit Website
At A Glance
  • First call quoting, get a quote in just a couple of minutes
  • Rates are typically 20-40% lower than the industry averages
  • $1,000 money-back service guarantee
  • Fast and accurate delivery times
  • Free damage coverage with additional coverage options
read our full review
Check prices Check prices
Best customer experience
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.3 / 5
(866) 774-5063
At A Glance
  • Quick and easy booking process
  • National 4.75/5 star rating (these guys are good at what they do)
  • Dedicated move concierge specialist
  • Pay as you go service. 2-hour minimum and then prorated down to the minute
  • The time clock starts when the movers arrive and ends when you tell them
read our full review
(866) 774-5063

How we chose the best moving companies for your SC to IA movetoggle

moveBuddha’s expert team analyzed moving rates from 32 South Carolina movers and listed the top movers based on customer satisfaction, reviews, and cost.

Customer satisfaction (40%): The company consistently delivers services in a timely matter with good communication and within the estimated cost.

Dispute resolution (20%): Mistakes cannot be avoided in the moving industry. We look for companies that own their mistakes and make genuine efforts to fix any issues that arise during a move.

Industry reputation (15%): The company is well-regarded within the moving industry and participates in industry conferences and organizations.

Online reputation (15%): The company maintains a professional website with accurate information. The company promptly and professionally responds to online customer inquiries.

Service options (10%): We look for companies with a deep breadth of services including full packing, storage, specialty item handling, and expedited delivery.

Here is our full moving company rating methodology.

How much does it cost to move from South Carolina to Iowa?

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

Move size Moving company Moving container Rental truck
Studio / 1 Bedroom $1,094 - $4,712 $852 - $2,038 $736 - $1,372
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,417 - $6,040 $1,543 - $3,081 $780 - $1,552
4+ bedrooms $4,221 - $7,469 $2,021 - $4,187 $980 - $1,869

*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 1,089 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.

Cost to hire movers from South Carolina to Iowatoggle

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from South Carolina to Iowa will cost between $1,094 and $4,712. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from SC to IA will range from $2,417 to $6,040, and a large move from South Carolina to Iowa will cost from $4,221 to $7,469.

Cost of moving containers from South Carolina to Iowatoggle

Moving containers from South Carolina to Iowa will cost you $852 to $2,038 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,543 to $3,081. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $2,021 to $4,187. Learn more about PODS cost.

Here are the cheapest moving container companies when moving out of South Carolina.

Cost of moving truck rentals from South Carolina to Iowatoggle

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 $736 to $1,372. A two to three-bedroom move will cost $780 to $1,552, and moving a home with four or more bedrooms or from South Carolina to Iowa costs from $980 to $1,869.
These estimates include the estimated fuel cost.

Factors affecting the cost of moving from SC to IA

There are many factors that influence South Carolina moving costs. The cost to move from South Carolina 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 South Carolina 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.

What to know before moving from SC to IA

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

Cost of living: South Carolina vs. Iowa

South Carolina Iowa
Average rent cost $1,065 $914
Average home cost $295,769 $220,277
Average income (per capita) $63,623 $70,571
Cost of Living Index 96 89
Unemployment rate 4.7% 3.0%
Average Sales Tax 7.46% 6.94%
State Income Tax 7.0% 4.4%
  • Rent is about 14% less expensive in Iowa than in South Carolina.
  • Home prices are about 26% lower in Iowa than in South Carolina.
  • The average income is about 11% higher in Iowa than in South Carolina.
  • Cost of living is 7% lower in Iowa than in South Carolina.
  • Iowa has a lower unemployment rate than South Carolina by about 36%.
  • Sales taxes are 7% lower in Iowa than in South Carolina.
  • Income taxes are 37% lower in Iowa than in South Carolina.

How life is different in Iowa vs. South Carolina

Iowa South Carolina
Population 3,207,004 5,373,555
Political leaning Republican 53-45 Republican 58-42
Summer high 84ºF 91ºF
Winter low 10ºF 33ºF
Annual rain 35" 48"
Annual snow 30" 1"
Crime index 16.18 28.0
  • The population of Iowa is approximately 40% lower than the population of South Carolina.
  • In the last presidential election, Iowa voted Republican and South Carolina voted Republican.
  • The average high in the summertime in Iowa is 84ºF and in South Carolina, it’s 91ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Iowa reaches the temperature of 10ºF and South Carolina gets down to 33ºF.
  • You can expect about 35 inches of annual rainfall in Iowa versus 48 inches of rainfall in South Carolina.
  • In Iowa, it snows about 30 inches annually versus 1 inch of snow in South Carolina.
  • Iowa has a lower crime rate than South Carolina with a crime index of 16.18 vs. 28.0.

Comparing the pros of South Carolina vs. Iowa

Getting a fresh start in a new location is exciting. Here’s a side-by-side look at the perks of living in Iowa compared to South Carolina.

Pros of living in South Carolina Pros of living in Iowa
Warm southern hospitality Low cost of living
Plentiful outdoor activities Ample economic opportunity
Beautiful landscapes High quality of education
Consistently gorgeous weather No traffic
Rich historical significance Beautiful outdoors

Comparing the cons of living in South Carolina vs. Iowa

Everything can’t be sunshine and rainbows all the time, no matter where you live. Here are some things to be aware of when leaving South Carolina for Iowa.

Cons of living in South Carolina Cons of living in Iowa
High cost of living Severe weather conditions
Hurricane frequency Limited recreational opportunities
Low quality of healthcare High taxes
High taxes High emphasis on politics
Abundance of construction Rustic food

Other things to consider for your South Carolina to Iowa movetoggle

  • 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 Iowatoggle

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 South Carolina to Iowa?toggle

Hiring a full-service South Carolina moving company will be on the more expensive side, while a rental truck or a moving container is usually the cheaper way to go, but requires more work. Here’s our guide for the cheapest way to move out of state.

Do movers transport your car from South Carolina to Iowa?toggle

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 South Carolina to Iowa separately through one of the top car shipping companies.

What are the benefits of moving from South Carolina to Iowa?toggle

The main reasons people are moving from South Carolina 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 South Carolina or Iowa?toggle

It is generally cheaper to live in Iowa than in South Carolina. Housing is much more affordable in Iowa, with average rent about 14% less and home prices 25.5% lower than in South Carolina. Taxes are also lower in Iowa, most notably income taxes, which are more than 30% less than those paid by South Carolina residents.

How much should you make a year to live comfortably in Iowa?toggle

You should make approximately $29,246 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in Iowa. The cost of living in Iowa is approximately $946 per month for an individual and $2,190 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 Des Moines and Cedar Rapids will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.

Helpful moving resources