Moving to Iowa: costs, checklist and what to know
Iowa at a glance for movers: Midwest region · largest city Des Moines · capital Des Moines · Central time.
Quick facts for moving to Iowa
- Income tax: Iowa taxes wages. Rates and brackets change, so check the Iowa Department of Revenue for the current year.
- Sales tax: Iowa's statewide sales tax rate is 6%. Local taxes can add more, depending on the address.
- Driver's license: Check with the Iowa DOT for how long new residents have to switch their driver's license and registration.
- Moving cost example: a 2-bedroom move from Chicago to Des Moines (about 370 road miles) runs roughly $630–$1,220 with a rental truck or $1,990–$4,630 with full-service movers, by our estimate.
What to know before moving to Iowa
- Licenses come from the Iowa DOT (some county treasurers issue them too), and vehicles are registered with your county treasurer.
- Des Moines is the capital and largest city; Cedar Rapids, the Quad Cities and Iowa City are the other main job centers.
- Severe spring and summer storms, including derechos, can knock out power and block roads.
Main cities and metros include Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Iowa City, Sioux City. Iowa borders Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri, Nebraska and South Dakota.
How much does it cost to move to Iowa?
Estimated costs to move a typical 2-bedroom home (4,000–6,000 lbs) to Des Moines, the largest city in Iowa. Distances are approximate road miles (straight-line distance × 1.2). Packing service, car shipping and storage are not included.
| Moving from | ≈ Miles | Rent a truck | Full-service movers |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York City | 1,220 | $1,800–$3,420 | $3,350–$7,690 |
| Los Angeles | 1,720 | $2,470–$4,670 | $4,150–$9,490 |
| Chicago | 370 | $630–$1,220 | $1,990–$4,630 |
| Dallas | 760 | $1,180–$2,250 | $2,620–$6,040 |
| Atlanta | 890 | $1,310–$2,500 | $2,820–$6,500 |
These ranges come from Foyeric's moving cost model, not from quotes or a survey of Iowa moves. Your real price depends on the mover, the season, your exact addresses and how much you ship. Tap a city to open it in the moving cost calculator and adjust it for your home.
Best time to move to Iowa
May–June and September–October. Winters are cold and windy, and July can be hot and humid.
Across the U.S., summer is the busiest and priciest moving season. Mid-month and mid-week dates are usually easier to book.
Iowa new-resident checklist
For the full timeline, from booking movers to unpacking, use our moving day countdown checklist.
Moving to Iowa: FAQ
How much does it cost to move to Iowa?
It depends mostly on distance and how much you own. By our model, moving a 2-bedroom home about 370 miles from Chicago to Des Moines costs roughly $630–$1,220 if you rent a truck or $1,990–$4,630 with full-service movers. These are planning ranges, not quotes.
Does Iowa have a state income tax?
Yes. Iowa taxes wages. Rates and brackets change, so check the Iowa Department of Revenue for the current year.
What is the sales tax in Iowa?
Iowa's statewide sales tax rate is 6%. Local taxes can add more, depending on the address.
How long do I have to get a Iowa driver's license after moving?
Iowa doesn't publish a simple day count that we could confirm, so check with the Iowa DOT for the current rule and the documents to bring.
When is the best time to move to Iowa?
May–June and September–October. Winters are cold and windy, and July can be hot and humid.
Sources and accuracy
Tax and license facts on this page should be confirmed with the Iowa Department of Revenue and the Iowa DOT, which publish the current rules. Rules change, and some cities and counties add their own taxes. Cost figures are model estimates explained on our methodology page. Spotted something out of date? Let us know.