$1,443 Movers From Iowa to Alabama

The cost to move from Iowa to Alabama averages from $744 to $7,236 depending on how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the move yourself.

Hiring a full-service Iowa moving company will be on the more expensive side, while a rental truck or a moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.

Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Moving from Alabama to Iowa guide.

Moving from Iowa to Alabama resources

Moving 946 miles is no joke. Here's what you need to know.

The best Iowa to Alabama movers

Hiring an interstate moving company from Iowa to Alabama 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 Iowa to Alabama.

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Best overall value
  • Portion to charity
  • Veteran owned
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(855) 650-0657

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • 20 yrs experience
  • Flat rate pricing
  • Family owned
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(866) 835-2392

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.45 / 5
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Family owned
  • East coast focus
  • Affordable pricing
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(980) 217-6841

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • 74 years in biz
  • 1,800 trucks
  • Storage available
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(844) 950-2963

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • White glove
  • Expensive items
  • Guaranteed delivery
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(703) 972-1772

% of users select this mover

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

How much does it cost to move from Iowa to Alabama?

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

Move size Moving company Moving container Rental truck
Studio / 1 Bedroom $1,443 - $5,540 $950 - $2,265 $696 - $1,317
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,728 - $7,236 $1,654 - $3,514 $744 - $1,696
4+ bedrooms $4,914 - $9,379 $2,342 - $4,303 $972 - $1,942
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*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 946 miles and historical averages. The actual size of your move, additional services required, truck parking access, market conditions, and availability can greatly affect the final cost of your move.

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

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Iowa to Alabama will cost between $1,443 to $5,540. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from IA to AL will range from $2,728 to $7,236, and a large move from Iowa to Alabama will cost from $4,914 to $9,379.

How much are moving containers like PODS from Iowa to Alabama?

Moving containers from Iowa to Alabama will cost you $950 to $2,265 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,654 to $3,514. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $2,342 to $4,303. Learn more about PODS cost.

Here are the cheapest moving container companies when moving out of Iowa.

How much is a moving truck from Iowa to Alabama?

A moving rental truck is generally the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor; these estimates include the estimated fuel cost:

Moving a studio or 1-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $696 to $1,317. A larger move will cost $744 to $1,696, and a 4+ bedroom move from Iowa to Alabama costs from $972 to $1,942.

Is moving from Iowa to Alabama a good idea?

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

Cost of Living: Iowa vs Alabama

Iowa Alabama
Average rent cost $806 $811
Average home cost $207,215 $221,428
Average income (per capita) $70,571 $59,609
Cost of Living Index 89 87
Unemployment rate 3.2% 2.3%
Average Sales Tax 6.94% 9.22%
State Income Tax 4.4% 5.0%
  • Rent is about the same cost in Alabama and Iowa.
  • Home prices are about 6.9% higher in Alabama than in Iowa.
  • The average income is about 15.5% lower in Alabama than in Iowa.
  • Cost of living is 2.2% lower in Alabama than in Iowa.
  • Alabama has a lower unemployment rate than Iowa by about 28.1%.
  • Sales taxes are 32.85% higher in Alabama than in Iowa.
  • Income taxes are 13.64% higher in Alabama than in Iowa.

How is life different in Alabama from Iowa?

Alabama Iowa
Population 5,074,296 3,200,517
Political leaning Republican 62-37 Republican 53-45
Summer High 91ºF 84ºF
Winter Low 33ºF 10ºF
Annual Rain 56" 35"
Annual Snow 1" 30"
Crime Index 31.82 18.7
  • The population of Alabama is approximately 59% greater than the population of Iowa.
  • In the last presidential election, Alabama voted Republican and Iowa voted Republican.
  • The average high in the summertime in Alabama is 91ºF and in Iowa, it’s 84ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Alabama reaches the temperature of 33ºF and Iowa gets down to 10ºF.
  • You can expect about 56 inches of annual rainfall in Alabama vs 35 inches of rainfall in Iowa.
  • In Alabama, it snows about 1 inches annually vs 30 inches of snow in Iowa.
  • Alabama has a higher crime rate than Iowa with a crime index of 31.82 vs 18.7.

Comparing the pros of Iowa vs. Alabama:

There are always a lot of reasons to get excited about living somewhere new. These are the best parts of living in Iowa vs Alabama side-by-side.

Pros of living in Iowa Pros of living in Alabama
Low cost of living Low cost of living
Ample economic opportunity Tasty southern comfort food
High quality of education Bountiful recreational opportunities
No traffic Top-notch college football
Beautiful outdoors Rich history

Comparing the cons of living in Iowa vs. Alabama:

Not everything is sunshine and rainbows, these are the things to be aware of when leaving Iowa for Alabama.

Cons of living in Iowa Cons of living in Alabama
Severe weather conditions Poor quality of life
Limited recreational opportunities Severe weather
High taxes Restrictive alcohol laws
High emphasis on politics Poor healthcare
Rustic food Cockroaches

Considerations for moving to Alabama

  • Weather: Alabama has one of the hottest summers in the US and mild winters with copious amounts of precipitation throughout the year. Areas around the Gulf in Alabama are prone to tropical storms and hurricanes. Alabama also has tornado activity, which typically occurs in the spring It would be a good idea to check for tornado activity in the area you are looking to move to.
  • 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: To guarantee the safety and reliability of local moving services in Alabama, it is essential for moving companies to possess a registration number issued by the Alabama Public Service Commission (APSC). Trust your move to registered professionals for a secure and dependable experience. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State Regulator: You can verify a Alabama moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
  • Moving Permits: Alabama 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 and this way all of your mail will get properly forward to Alabama. Get started here.
  • Mover's Insurance: Every state has their own requirements when it comes to insurance. Moving companies typically take responsibility for your belongings at a rate of 60 cents per pound (or even less) per item. This means that for a lightweight item weighing five pounds and valued at $500, the reimbursement would be only $3 in the event of loss or damage. To enhance your coverage, certain movers provide additional valuation options, such as declared value or lump sum value protection, which offer better protection compared to the basic released value protection. To better understand and explore these options, consider discussing them with your chosen moving company.
  • Moving Checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.

Looking for local Iowa movers?

Company Quote Rating Contact
Black Belt Movers Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.62 overall rating
1209 SW ORDNANCE RD STE B, ANKENY, IA, 50023
(515) 393-4253
All Mighty Movers LLC Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.58 overall rating
59 Clark St., Des Moines, IA, 50314
(515) 313-1395

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

Things to do in Alabama

While you’re in Alabama, you won’t be bored. These are some of the coolest places to visit in your new home state.

  • US Space & Rocket Center
  • Birmingham Zoo
  • Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail
  • Point Mallard Park
  • Cheaha State Park
  • USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park
  • Gulf Shores
  • McWane Science Center
  • Huntsville Botanical Garden
  • Birmingham Civil Rights Institute
  • Civil Rights Memorials of Montgomery
  • Mobile Bay
  • Frank Lloyd Wright Rosenbaum House Museum
  • W.C. Handy Home and Museum
  • National Voting Rights Museum and Institute
  • Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum
  • Montgomery Museum of Fine Art
  • Bellingrath Gardens and Home
  • Birmingham Museum of Art
  • Cathedral Caverns State Park
  • Unclaimed Baggage Center
  • Alligator Alley
  • Mobile Carnival Museum
  • Fort Morgan State Historic Site
  • Talladega Superspeedway

FAQs about moving from Iowa to Alabama

What is the cheapest way to move from Iowa to Alabama?

The cheapest way to move from Iowa to Alabama 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 Iowa to Alabama?

The main reasons people are moving from Iowa to Alabama are the amazing upsides of living in Alabama such as low cost of living and tasty southern comfort food.

Related articles to your move

Learn more about Alabama