Moving from Tennessee to Iowa ($1,220-$5,730)
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The cost to move from Tennessee to Iowa ranges from $1,220 to $5,730 with full-service movers, based on 557 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 Tennessee to Iowa route rather than a flat average.
How much does it cost to move from Tennessee to Iowa?
The average cost of moving from Tennessee to Iowa with full-service movers typically ranges between $1,220 to $5,730 for a studio to 3-bedroom home. We calculated this average by reviewing 557 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 Tennessee to Iowa 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 | $1,220 - $3,970 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,320 - $5,730 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,980 - $8,950 |
How much do moving containers cost from Tennessee to Iowa?
A moving container from Tennessee to Iowa costs between $730 and $3,400, depending on how much you're moving. For a 2-3 bedroom home, expect $1,340 to $2,750, 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 | $730 - $1,930 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,340 - $2,750 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $1,940 - $3,400 |
44% of movers in Tennessee offer climate-controlled storage, worth asking about if your container needs to sit before delivery.
How much does a rental truck cost from Tennessee to Iowa?
A rental truck from Tennessee to Iowa costs between $520 and $1,530. For a 2-3 bedroom home, budget $570 to $1,150, about 80% less than hiring full-service movers. That figure covers the truck itself; with gas in Tennessee averaging $2.63 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 | $520 - $980 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $570 - $1,150 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $760 - $1,530 |
Add-on costs for a Tennessee to Iowa move
The figures above are linehaul: crew time on both ends plus 712 miles of transport. Accessorial charges are quoted separately, and on a Tennessee to Iowa route they commonly add 10% to 22% to the final invoice.
At 712 miles, a Tennessee to Iowa 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 Iowa. Guaranteed-delivery upgrades are available but uncommon at this distance.
Cost of living is close between Tennessee and Iowa, so accessorial pricing on this route lands near national averages at both ends. Distance, not local labor rates, is what drives the numbers below.
| Add-On Service | Typical Cost (Tennessee to Iowa) |
|---|---|
| Full packing service | $620 - $1,610 |
| Packing materials only | $140 - $380 |
| Specialty item (piano, safe, pool table) | $290 - $800 |
| Appliance disconnect & reconnect | $90 - $250 |
| Stair or elevator carry | $70 - $220 |
| Storage-in-transit (per month) | $160 - $380 |
| Shuttle service at delivery | $180 - $510 |
| Auto transport (1 vehicle) | $380 - $570 |
| 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 Tennessee to Iowa estimate up front instead of leaving them to surface on moving day.
66% of movers in Tennessee handle piano moves, 16% handle pool tables, and 31% handle safes — confirm your mover covers whichever specialty item you're moving before booking. 20% of Tennessee movers require a deposit to book, and 13% offer full-value protection as an add-on rather than folding it into every quote.
Our recommended Tennessee to Iowa Movers
These movers average a 81% positive review rate among Tennessee movers we track.
Compare movers for your Tennessee to Iowa move
We track and rate long-distance movers based in Tennessee year-round — here's how the top options for a Iowa move stack up against each other:
56% of Tennessee movers we track offer instant online quotes, well above the 45% national average, so you can compare several before picking up the phone.
223 Threet Industrial Road, Smyrna, TN 37167
309 Hermitage Avenue, Nashville, TN 37210
1520 Amherst Road, Knoxville, TN 37909
410 Central Ave, Nashville, TN 37211
429 Harding Industrial Dr, Nashville, TN 37211
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Alternate Tennessee to Iowa moving options
DIY moving options offer real cost savings on a Tennessee to Iowa 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 Tennessee run $59 - $81 per hour to load the truck for you, while you still drive and unload on the Iowa end. 57% of movers in Tennessee offer labor-only service, so finding one shouldn't take long.
With a moving container (ex: PODS), you handle the packing and loading in Tennessee on your own timeline, and the container company will drop it off in Iowa for you to unload. A standard 16-foot container (the size most 2-3 bedroom interstate moves need) typically runs $323 - $819 to rent in Tennessee, before the long-distance haul fee shown above is added.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed over 557 real quotes from Tennessee to Iowa, so our pricing data stays current. Use our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and spot bad actors early.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Iowa to Tennessee guide.
Tennessee to Iowa cost of living comparison
Moving from Tennessee to Iowa means adjusting to a different cost of living, job market, and housing landscape. Our moving trends data across major U.S. routes shows these are the factors that most commonly shape a relocation like this one:
| Factor | Tennessee | Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 90 | 89 |
| Average household income | $64,035 | $70,571 |
| Median home value | $319,208 | $220,277 |
| Unemployment rate | 3.3% | 3.0% |
| State income tax | 0.0% | 4.4% |
| Average monthly rent | $1,047 | $914 |
| Average sales tax | 9.55% | 6.94% |
| Crime index | 29.24 | 16.18 |
| College graduation rate | 30.48% | 30.54% |
| Population | 7,126,489 | 3,207,004 |
The cost of living in Iowa is comparable to Tennessee, so most people making this move are driven by career, family, or personal reasons rather than cost differences. Day-to-day expenses should feel familiar after you settle in.
Iowa's largest industries are Manufacturing ($33.6 billion), Finance and insurance ($25.9 billion), and Real estate and rental and leasing ($19.5 billion), worth a look if a job change is part of this move.
FAQs: Moving from Tennessee to Iowa
Should I ship my car when moving from Tennessee to Iowa?
The choice to ship versus drive your car comes down to distance, timeline, and vehicle count. Auto transport for a Tennessee to Iowa move typically costs $600 - $1,500 depending on distance and vehicle type, with open transport cheaper than enclosed. Most people ship when the drive would take more than 2 days, or they're relocating more than 1 vehicle.
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 Tennessee at Tennessee's official regulatorandin Iowa at Iowa's official regulator.
Are full-service movers worth it for a Tennessee to Iowa move?
People making this move are often chasing low cost of living in Iowa.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.
How do I get a moving quote from Tennessee to Iowa?
Use our moving cost calculator for an instant estimate on this 712-mile route. Full-service runs $1,220-$5,730, or a rental truck starts at $522. Take a room-by-room inventory of your furniture and bulky items so your quote matches your final bill. Then collect a few real quotes and confirm whether each is binding or non-binding — moveBuddha has reviewed 70 movers in Tennessee alone.
How long does it take to move from Tennessee to Iowa?
Expect 1 - 6 days from pickup to delivery, depending on distance, your mover's routing, and whether your shipment is consolidated with others. Moving containers take longer, typically 1 - 2 weeks from loading to delivery since they ship by scheduled ground freight. Rental trucks give you the most control since you drive directly, but add 1 - 2 days depending on distance.
Popular Tennessee to Iowa moving routes
These are the most common city-to-city moves on the Tennessee to Iowa 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 Tennessee to Iowa: the bottom line
The cost to move from Tennessee to Iowa ranges from $1,220 - $5,730 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.
