($1,164) Moving From West Virginia to Iowa

Quick answer: The average cost to move from West Virginia to Iowa ranges from $596 to $6,043 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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  • Certified crews
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Hiring a full-service West Virginia 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 West Virginia 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 West Virginia guide.

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The best West Virginia to Iowa movers

Hiring an interstate moving company from West Virginia 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 West Virginia to Iowa:

Best Overall Value
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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
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(855) 650-0657
Best for personalized service
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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
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(980) 217-6841
Best for Quick Quotes
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
(844) 794-6004
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  • Family owned & operated
  • Affordable pricing
  • Binding estimates
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(844) 794-6004
Best Nationwide Coverage
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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
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(866) 835-2392
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  • Experienced & fully trained moving crews
  • Specializes in moving art & antiques
  • Competitive pricing
  • Can handle last-minute moves
  • Climate-controlled storage
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(866) 835-2392

If you’re just trying to ship a few items, here’s a list of our recommended services for small moves.

Looking for local West Virginia movers?

Company Quote Rating Contact
Watts Brothers Moving and Storage Systems Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.24 overall rating
1301 7th Ave # A, Huntington, WV, 25701
(304) 529-2360
Central Van Lines Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4 overall rating
37 Jacobson Dr, Poca, WV, 25159
(304) 755-1898

Visit our Best Movers in West Virginia page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.

How much does it cost to move from West Virginia to Iowa?

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

Move size Moving company Moving container Rental truck
Studio / 1 Bedroom $1,164 - $4,369 $777 - $1,831 $569 - $1,075
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,469 - $6,043 $1,396 - $2,619 $596 - $1,251
4+ bedrooms $4,040 - $7,976 $1,858 - $3,535 $810 - $1,503

*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 860 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 WV to IA

There are many factors that influence West Virginia moving costs. The cost to move from West Virginia 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 West Virginia 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 West Virginia to Iowa?

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from West Virginia to Iowa will cost between $1,164 and $4,369. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from WV to IA will range from $2,469 to $6,043, and a large move from West Virginia to Iowa will cost from $4,040 to $7,976.

How much are moving containers like PODS from West Virginia to Iowa?

Moving containers from West Virginia to Iowa will cost you $777 to $1,831 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,396 to $2,619. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $1,858 to $3,535. Learn more about PODS cost.

Here are the cheapest moving container companies when moving out of West Virginia.

How much is a moving truck from West Virginia 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 $569 to $1,075. A two to three-bedroom move will cost $596 to $1,251, and moving a home with four or more bedrooms or from West Virginia to Iowa costs from $810 to $1,503.
These estimates include the estimated fuel cost.

Is moving from West Virginia to Iowa a good idea?

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

Cost of living: West Virginia vs. Iowa

West Virginia Iowa
Average rent cost $899 $914
Average home cost $168,172 $220,277
Average income (per capita) $55,217 $70,571
Cost of Living Index 90 89
Unemployment rate 4.2% 3.0%
Average Sales Tax 6.0% 6.94%
State Income Tax 6.5% 4.4%
  • Rent is about 2% more expensive in Iowa than in West Virginia.
  • Home prices are about 31% higher in Iowa than in West Virginia.
  • The average income is about 28% higher in Iowa than in West Virginia.
  • Cost of living is 1% lower in Iowa than in West Virginia.
  • Iowa has a lower unemployment rate than West Virginia by about 29%.
  • Sales taxes are 16% higher in Iowa than in West Virginia.
  • Income taxes are 32% lower in Iowa than in West Virginia.

How does life in Iowa differ from West Virginia?

Iowa West Virginia
Population 3,207,004 1,782,959
Political leaning Republican 53-45 Republican 69-30
Summer high 84ºF 83ºF
Winter low 10ºF 21ºF
Annual rain 35" 45"
Annual snow 30" 33"
Crime index 16.18 17.47
  • The population of Iowa is approximately 80% greater than the population of West Virginia.
  • In the last presidential election, Iowa voted Republican and West Virginia voted Republican.
  • The average high in the summertime in Iowa is 84ºF and in West Virginia, it’s 83ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Iowa reaches the temperature of 10ºF and West Virginia gets down to 21ºF.
  • You can expect about thirty-five inches of annual rainfall in Iowa versus forty-five inches of rainfall in West Virginia.
  • In Iowa, it snows about thirty inches annually versus thirty-three inches of snow in West Virginia.
  • Iowa has a lower crime rate than West Virginia with a crime index of 17.47 vs 16.18.

Comparing the pros of West Virginia vs. Iowa

There are always a lot of reasons to get excited about living somewhere new. These are the best parts of living in West Virginia versus Iowa side by side.

Pros of living in West Virginia Pros of living in Iowa
Low cost of living Low cost of living
Abundant outdoor activities Ample economic opportunity
4 distinct seasons of weather High quality of education
Immense natural beauty No traffic
Relaxed small cities and towns Beautiful outdoors

Comparing the cons of living in West Virginia 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 West Virginia for Iowa.

Cons of living in West Virginia Cons of living in Iowa
Dismal economy Severe weather conditions
High rates of crime Limited recreational opportunities
High rates of drug abuse High taxes
Shrinking population High emphasis on politics
Lack of diversity 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 West Virginia to Iowa?

The cheapest way to move from West Virginia 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 West Virginia to Iowa?

The main reasons people are moving from West Virginia 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 West Virginia or Iowa?

It is generally cheaper to live in West Virginia than in Iowa. While the overall cost of living is similar for both states, housing is much more affordable in West Virginia, with average rent about 2% less and home prices 24% lower than in Iowa. However, taxes are lower in Iowa, most notably income taxes, which are more than 30% less than those paid by West Virginia 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.

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