Moving to Iowa? 2024 Living Costs & Relocation Tips

Iowa is situated in the Midwestern region of the United States, and is the 26th ranked in terms of land mass. It is most known for its landscape of corn and soybean fields, and its distance to the Missouri and Mississippi rivers, giving a vast natural beauty to the area.

If you are considering moving to Iowa, the various costs listed below will help you make an informed decision on what costs are involved.

Quick Iowa Facts:

Population: 3.193 million (2021)
Official Language: English
GDP Per Capita: $54,520 (2018)
Random Fact: The word Iowa comes from the American Indian tribe of the same name.
Currency: US Dollar (US$). As of early 2023, £1 = $1.20, €1 = $1.07, $1 CAD = $0.74, $1 AUD = $0.68

Sections

1. Moving and Shipping Costs to Iowa

From State	Estimated Cost
California	$3,500 – $5,500
Texas	$2,800 – $4,600
Florida	$3,400 – $5,400
New York	$3,800 – $6,000
Pennsylvania	$3,200 – $5,200
Illinois	$2,400 – $4,000
Ohio	$2,600 – $4,400
Georgia	$3,000 – $5,000
North Carolina	$3,200 – $5,200
Michigan	$2,700 – $4,500

2. Iowa Housing Costs

The cost of housing in Iowa varies depending on the location, with prices generally higher in urban areas than in rural areas. For example, the median home value in Des Moines, the state capital and largest city, is around $180,000, while in more rural areas of the state, such as Appanoose County, the median home value is around $80,000.

Monthly Rental Prices in Iowa:

1 bedroom flat (apartment) in City Centre: $1,010+
1 bedroom flat outside the City Centre: $825+
3 bedroom flat in City Centre: $1,500+
3 bedroom flat outside the City Centre: $1,380+

Iowa Home Purchase Prices:

Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy in City Centre: $3,160+
Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy outside City: $3,250+

Iowa Housing Cost Comparison:

This is how rents in Iowa compare with other cities around the globe.

London is 60.4% more expensive
New York is 72.7% more expensive
Los Angeles is 62.4% more expensive
Toronto is 44.7% more expensive
Sydney is 52.1% more expensive
Paris is 37.5% more expensive
Dubai is 44% more expensive

Source: Numbeo

How to Save on Housing Costs:

Share a Flat or House: Sharing a house or a flat is a way to save on living expenses. You may have to share a bathroom but you will save at the end of the day. A cheaper option is to share a room. Have a look at the following site to find your perfect room or flatmate: Spare Room, iRoommates.
Different Areas – Different Prices: The cost of renting or purchasing a home in Iowa can vary widely depending on the location. In general, housing prices are higher in urban areas and downtown districts of larger cities such as Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Iowa City, while prices are generally lower in smaller towns and rural areas.

3. Iowa Food, Grocery and Restaurant Costs

Iowa is known for its agricultural heritage and its cuisine is heavily influenced by this, with many dishes featuring corn, pork, and beef. Local favourites include sweet corn on the cob, pork tenderloin sandwiches, and Maid-Rites, a type of loose meat sandwich. The state is also home to many craft breweries and wineries, offering a wide variety of locally-made beer and wine.

Inexpensive Restaurant: $15.00
Takeout Coffee: $4.40
Bottle of Coke: $2.30
1L of Milk: $1.00
Loaf of Bread: $2.50
12 Eggs: $4.50
1kg Chicken: $8.80
1kg Beef: $12.20
1kg Apples: $4.40
1kg White Rice: $3.10

This is how restaurants and food prices compare with other major cities in the world.

London restaurants are 26.3% more expensive and groceries are 10.2% cheaper than Iowa.
New York restaurants are 36.9% more expensive and groceries are 36.2% more expensive than Iowa.
Los Angeles restaurants are 32.7% more expensive and groceries are 19.1% more expensive than Iowa.
Toronto restaurants are 16.5% more expensive and groceries are 7.6% more expensive than Iowa.
Sydney restaurants are 15.7% more expensive and groceries are 19.1% more expensive than Iowa.
Paris restaurants are 11.6% more expensive and groceries are 17.8% more expensive than Iowa.
Dubai restaurants are 11.8% more expensive and groceries are 29.7% cheaper than Iowa.

Source: Numbeo

Bonus Tips for Cheaper Food, Restaurants and Groceries:

Know Your Supermarkets: Farmers’ markets are a popular way to access fresh, locally-grown produce in Iowa, with many cities and towns hosting regular markets throughout the growing season. In terms of supermarkets, Iowa has a range of options from large national chains to smaller regional stores, with prices varying depending on location and brand.
Find Cheap Eats: Iowa has a good selection of restaurants which offer food at affordable prices. Have a look at Trip Advisor.

4. Iowa Alcohol Costs

Iowa, like all cities in the United States, has plenty of bars and clubs to choose from, whether you want a quick beer after work or a cocktail before dinner.

Pint (0.6L) domestic beer at a restaurant/pub: $4.00
Bottle of imported beer at a restaurant/pub: $6.00
Pint (0.6L) domestic beer at a supermarket: $2.20
Bottle of imported beer at a supermarket: $3.00
Mid-range bottle of wine at a supermarket: $12.50

How To Drink For Less in Iowa:

Keep an eye on the local papers and websites for specials over weekends and public holidays.
Take a look at Yelp.

5. Iowa Transportation Fares

Public transportation options in Iowa can vary depending on location, with larger cities like Des Moines and Cedar Rapids offering bus systems and some light rail options. However, in more rural areas, private vehicles are often necessary for transportation.

Here are some sample ticket costs:

Adult single – $1.75
One-day ticket – $5.00
Monthly season ticket, unlimited – $48.00

How To Save Money on Public Transport:

Buy a bike. Depending on where you live and work, cycling around the city is certainly a viable option.
Walk. If you live relatively close to where you work, you can walk to work.

6. Cost of Internet in Iowa

Internet prices in the States are expensive compared with many other countries in the world. Here are some sample broadband internet prices from early 2023 for unlimited downloads, based on a 12-month contract:

Sprint: $50 a month (Unlimited high speed except for streaming gaming up to 8mb)
AT & T: $20 a month (50mb fibre)
Verizon: $80 a month

7. Cost of Clothing, Personal Items, Gym and Leisure

The average annual temperature in Iowa is around 10-13°C. The coldest month is January, with average temperatures around -6 to -1°C, while July is the hottest month with average temperatures ranging from 22-27°C. The wettest month is usually June, with an average of 100-120 mm of precipitation.

Here are some clothing prices, together with other useful prices.

Pair of Jeans: $38.00
Summer Dress: $35.00
Running Shoes (Trainers): $63.00
Business Shoes: $70.00
Short Doctor’s Visit (15 mins): $120.00
Deodorant: $3.00
Shampoo: $4.60
Toilet Paper (4 rolls): $3.00
Gym Membership: $45.00
Movie (cinema) Ticket: $10.75

Source: Numbeo, Expatistan

8. Cost of Owning a Car and Driving a Car in Iowa

Everyone in the US drives on the right. Many people use their cars for work in Iowa. The rush hour is nowhere near as long as bad as other cities around the world. If you’re moving to Iowa from within the US, you’ll be able to keep your license but need to update your address to your new one.

You can drive on a foreign license for up to 12 months as a tourist but after that, you will need to get an American license. If you are working or studying in the US, you can drive on your foreign license for 30 days. If you want to exchange your foreign driver’s license you have to follow the process here.

Here are some other sample costs of owning and operating a car in Iowa:

Volkswagen Golf: $21,700+
1 litre (¼ gallon) of Gas (petrol): $0.80

Source: Numbeo, Expatistan

Ways To Save Money on Driving in Iowa:

Car sharing or pooling is one way to save money. Try Carpool World.
Taxis can sometimes be a cheaper option, especially if you are going to have to park all day. Try Uber or Lyft.

9. Taxes in Iowa

No matter where you live in the State, you will pay federal tax. To learn more about the different taxes in the States go to Immihelp and USA taxes.

The sales tax in Iowa varies depending on the county, with a state sales tax rate of 6%. Some counties may also have additional local sales taxes, which can range from 0.5% to 1%.

Whether you own or rent your home, you will be subject to property tax based on the area in which you live and the size of the property you live in. Learn more about property tax in Fresno at Property Tax.

Finally, if you decide to buy a flat or house in Iowa you’ll have to pay real estate transfer tax.

10. Flight Costs from Iowa

If you do make the move to Iowa, here’s approximately how much it will cost to fly to other major world cities based on the lowest, one-way fares from Skyscanner as of early 2023:

London: $350
New York: $60
Los Angeles: $80
Toronto: $130
Vancouver: $200
Dubai: $1,000
Sydney: $1,200
Melbourne: $1,300
Cape Town: $760
Hong Kong: $1,250

Other Tips on Moving to Iowa:

The costs and pricing above should give you a good idea of the cost of living in Iowa but perhaps the following extra tips will make your move go smoothly.

11. Moving to Iowa Alone

Moving anywhere can be a lonely experience, but moving to a new city can be especially daunting. Here are a few tips about settling in Iowa.

Meetups: There are many Meetup groups to choose from. You will definitely find something to join which will help you to settle in.
Attend Local Events: Iowa always has something going on. Have a look at Iowa Events Center.

12. Moving to Iowa with a Family

Iowa, US is generally considered a family-friendly location, with many affordable and safe communities to raise children. The crime rate varies depending on the area, but overall, Iowa has a lower crime rate compared to the national average.

New Parents (or parents to be): Free and paid antenatal classes and courses exist. Have a look at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.
Live in a Family-friendly Area: Iowa has several family-friendly cities such as Ames, Ankeny, and Urbandale, which offer good schools, parks, and safe neighbourhoods. However, the choice of the most family-friendly area to live in Iowa ultimately depends on personal preferences and needs.
Find Things To Do With The Kids: There are many activities for families living in Iowa. Have a look at the following sites to be inspired – Trip Advisor.

13. Moving to Iowa for Work

While it is possible to move to Iowa without a job, it makes sense to ensure there are jobs in your field before you make the move. The main industries in Iowa include agriculture, food processing, advanced manufacturing, and healthcare.

As of March 2022, Iowa’s unemployment rate was 3.3%, which is lower than the national average.

Here are a few things to consider when moving for work:

Salary: Salaries vary enormously depending on which industry you are in. The costs we outlined above should give you a rough idea of how much more you’ll want to make the move worthwhile. You can also check salary ranges on sites such as Payscale.
How To Find Work: If you want to have a job lined up before you move to Fresno, but aren’t sure where to begin, the following sites are good places to start: Monster and Indeed. You may also want to Google recruiters in your industry, as they can often help land you some initial interviews as well.

14. Moving to Iowa from Australia

There’s a small group of Australians living and working in Iowa, if you are thinking of joining them, here are a few things to consider.

Size Comparison: In terms of land area, the Australian state that is closest in size to Iowa is South Australia.
Join Expat Groups: Start your own Australian Meetup group.

15. Moving to Iowa from Canada

There’s a small group of Canadians living in Iowa. If you’re considering making the move from Canada here are a few things to consider.

Size: In terms of land area, Iowa is roughly the same size as the Canadian province of Nova Scotia.
Expat Groups: Meeting up with fellow Canadians helps the moving process. Start a Canadian Meetup group.

16. Moving to Iowa from the United Kingdom

There’s a small number of Brits living in Iowa. If you are thinking of making the move from the UK to join them, then here are a few things to consider.

Size: Iowa is roughly similar in size to the county of Northumberland in the UK.
Expat Groups: If you want to join up with fellow Brits in Iowa, then start your own British Meetup group.

Hopefully, the tips and costs above are helpful. If want to get started pricing out how much it will cost you to move to Iowa you can start by comparing moving quotes here.