Moving from Iowa to North Dakota ($1,230-$5,530)
The cost to move from Iowa to North Dakota ranges from $1,230 to $5,530 with full-service movers, based on 1,033 real quotes from moveBuddha users. Our moving cost calculator weighs your exact distance, home size, and move date together, so your estimate reflects this specific Iowa to North Dakota route rather than a flat average.
How much does it cost to move from Iowa to North Dakota?
The average cost of moving from Iowa to North Dakota with full-service movers typically ranges between $1,230 to $5,530 for a studio to 3-bedroom home. We calculated this average by reviewing 1,033 real-time quotes provided to moveBuddha users over the past 90 days. The average moving distance quoted was 712 miles.
The final price of your Iowa to North Dakota move will be dependent on the type of mover you choose, how much you're moving, time of year, distance, access, and add-on services. Get a free and accurate estimate using our moving cost calculator.
The rates below are for full-service movers, meaning the crew loads, transports, and unloads your belongings for you:
| Move Size | Full-Service Mover Cost |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,230 - $4,030 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,260 - $5,530 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,010 - $7,900 |
How much do moving containers cost from Iowa to North Dakota?
A moving container from Iowa to North Dakota costs between $720 and $3,450, depending on how much you're moving. For a 2-3 bedroom home, expect $1,360 to $2,650, roughly 55% less than full-service movers on this route. You pack and load the container yourself; the container company handles the 712-mile drive.
| Move Size | Moving Container Cost |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $720 - $1,750 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,360 - $2,650 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $1,710 - $3,450 |
26% of movers in Iowa offer climate-controlled storage, worth asking about if your container needs to sit before delivery.
How much does a rental truck cost from Iowa to North Dakota?
A rental truck from Iowa to North Dakota costs between $500 and $1,360. For a 2-3 bedroom home, budget $530 to $1,120, about 80% less than hiring full-service movers. That figure covers the truck itself; with gas in Iowa averaging $2.73 per gallon, fuel for the 712-mile drive, plus insurance, equipment rental, and lodging, all land on top of the base rate.
| Move Size | Rental Truck Cost |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $500 - $970 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $530 - $1,120 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $670 - $1,360 |
Add-on costs for an Iowa to North Dakota move
Add-on services are where an Iowa to North Dakota quote quietly grows. The $1,230-$5,530 range above covers loading, 712 miles of transport, and unloading. Nothing else is included.
At 712 miles, an Iowa to North Dakota move is typically a one-to-two-day haul. That's the range where storage-in-transit and shuttle fees start appearing on quotes, since your shipment may sit briefly before a delivery window opens in North Dakota. Guaranteed-delivery upgrades are available but uncommon at this distance.
North Dakota's cost of living runs about 7% above Iowa's, so destination-side charges on this route price above national averages, including shuttle service, long carries, and storage near Fargo. Origin-side labor in Iowa is the cheaper end of this move.
| Add-On Service | Typical Cost (Iowa to North Dakota) |
|---|---|
| Full packing service | $1,000 - $2,590 |
| Packing materials only | $130 - $380 |
| Specialty item (piano, safe, pool table) | $300 - $830 |
| Appliance disconnect & reconnect | $90 - $240 |
| Stair or elevator carry | $70 - $240 |
| Storage-in-transit (per month) | $170 - $410 |
| Shuttle service at delivery | $190 - $550 |
| Auto transport (1 vehicle) | $390 - $590 |
| Full-value protection | 1% - 2% of declared shipment value |
Released-value protection at 60¢ per pound is included at no charge on every interstate move, but it pays out almost nothing on a damaged item. A 40-pound TV settles at $24. Full-value protection is the line item most worth the money on a 712-mile haul. Our moving cost calculator prices these accessorials into your Iowa to North Dakota estimate up front instead of leaving them to surface on moving day.
41% of movers in Iowa handle piano moves, 5% handle pool tables, and 14% handle safes — confirm your mover covers whichever specialty item you're moving before booking. 10% of Iowa movers require a deposit to book, and 9% offer full-value protection as an add-on rather than folding it into every quote.
Our recommended Iowa to North Dakota Movers
These movers average a 89% positive review rate among Iowa movers we track.
Compare movers for your Iowa to North Dakota move
Not sure where to start? These are the highest-rated long-distance movers in Iowa for a move to North Dakota:
2% of Iowa movers we track offer instant online quotes, so you can compare several before picking up the phone.
Claeys Brothers Moving & Storage Inc
5600 Harbor Dr, Sioux City, IA 51111
2601 104th St #400, Urbandale, IA 50322
514 Clark St, Sioux City, IA 51101
4600 Commercial Ave, Marion, IA 52302
Horizon Movers & Climate Control Storage
4726 N Brady St, Davenport, IA 52806
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Alternate Iowa to North Dakota moving options
DIY moving options offer real cost savings on an Iowa to North Dakota move, with the right choice depending on how hands-on you want to be. Moving containers run about 55% less than full-service interstate movers, and rental trucks come in around 80% less.
With a rental truck (ex: U-Haul), you handle all the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus added costs like fuel, insurance, and equipment rentals on top of the base rate. If you'd rather skip the heavy lifting, local labor-only crews in Iowa run $60 - $81 per hour to load the truck for you, while you still drive and unload on the North Dakota end. 29% of movers in Iowa offer labor-only service, so finding one shouldn't take long.
With a moving container (ex: PODS), you handle the packing and loading in Iowa on your own timeline, and the container company will drop it off in North Dakota for you to unload. A standard 16-foot container (the size most 2-3 bedroom interstate moves need) typically runs $316 - $814 to rent in Iowa, before the long-distance haul fee shown above is added.
Why book a moveBuddha Certified mover for your Iowa to North Dakota move:
Every moveBuddha Certified mover passes our vetting for safety, licensing, reputation, transparency, and pricing, and agrees to ongoing monitoring. That adds a layer of protection most interstate moves don't come with.
- Up to $1,000 in coverage: Get up to $1,000 in added move coverage on eligible moves.
- Dispute mediation: If something goes wrong, we work with your Certified mover to resolve it.
- Dedicated support: Enjoy ongoing support from moveBuddha throughout your move.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our North Dakota to Iowa guide.
Iowa to North Dakota cost of living comparison
We track moving trends on every major U.S. route, and the factors that come up again and again are cost of living, job markets, housing affordability, and lifestyle. Here's how Iowa and North Dakota line up on each:
| Factor | Iowa | North Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 89 | 96 |
| Average household income | $70,571 | $73,959 |
| Median home value | $220,277 | $263,410 |
| Unemployment rate | 3.0% | 2.4% |
| State income tax | 4.4% | 2.9% |
| Average monthly rent | $914 | $912 |
| Average sales tax | 6.94% | 6.96% |
| Crime index | 16.18 | 22.74 |
| College graduation rate | 30.54% | 31.74% |
| Population | 3,207,004 | 783,926 |
North Dakota has a higher cost of living than Iowa, so most people moving in this direction are doing so for career, family, or lifestyle reasons rather than affordability. Budget for higher housing costs and day-to-day expenses compared to what you're used to in Iowa.
North Dakota's largest industries are Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction ($6.7 billion), Real estate and rental and leasing ($6.5 billion), and Wholesale trade ($4.6 billion), worth a look if a job change is part of this move.
FAQs: Moving from Iowa to North Dakota
How does the cost of living in North Dakota compare to Iowa?
North Dakota's cost of living index of 96 is higher than Iowa's 89 (100 is the national average), so day-to-day costs should feel pricier. Average rent runs $914 in Iowa versus $912 in North Dakota. Crime index is 16.18 in Iowa vs 22.74 in North Dakota. 31.74% of North Dakota adults hold a college degree, versus 30.54% in Iowa.
What's the cheapest way to move from Iowa to North Dakota?
A rental truck is cheapest: $530 - $1,120 for a 2-3 bedroom move, about 80% less than full-service. At 712 miles, that's 2 days behind the wheel, plus around $217 in fuel. Moving containers ($1,360 - $2,650, about 55% less than full-service) skip the drive entirely. Use our moving cost calculator to compare all 3 for your move size.
Who regulates interstate moves?
Interstate moves are regulated federally by the FMCSA. Verify your mover's USDOT number for free at FMCSA's carrier lookup tool. Report violations at 1-888-368-7238. You can also look up licensed movers in Iowa at Iowa's official regulatorandin North Dakota at North Dakota's official regulator.
Are full-service movers worth it for an Iowa to North Dakota move?
People making this move are often chasing ample economic opportunity in North Dakota.Full-service makes sense for a large home (3+ bedrooms), a tight timeline, or high-value items. DIY fits a smaller home (1-2 bedrooms) when cost matters most and you have time to spare. Moving containers, about 55% less than full-service, split the difference by skipping the drive.
What are the best ways to lower my full-service moving bill?
Decluttering before the move saves about $140 - $610 for every 500 pounds cut. Moving off-season saves 20% - 30%, and a Tuesday - Thursday, mid-month pickup saves another 10% - 30%. Among Iowa movers, 13.79% offer a military discount, 3.45% offer a senior discount, and 1.72% offer a student discount. Get at least 3 quotes and ask if any will price-match a lower one.
Popular Iowa to North Dakota moving routes
These are the most common city-to-city moves on the Iowa to North Dakota corridor. Each guide covers local mover recommendations, cost estimates specific to those metro areas, and neighborhood information to help you plan your destination.
Moving from Iowa to North Dakota: the bottom line
The cost to move from Iowa to North Dakota ranges from $1,230 - $5,530 for a studio to 3-bedroom home with full-service movers. Moving containers and rental trucks cost 55% - 80% less for the same move. For most people making this 712-mile relocation, hiring a full-service mover is the most reliable option, especially for larger homes, time-sensitive moves, or relocations involving high-value items.
To get the best price, collect at least 3 quotes, book 4 - 12 weeks in advance depending on your season, and schedule a mid-week, mid-month pickup date when possible. Use our moving cost calculator to compare costs across all service types for your specific home size.