Things to know before moving from Iowa to Orlando, FL

Cost of living: Iowa vs Orlando, FL

Iowa Orlando
Average rent cost $914 $1,943
Average home value $220,277 $377,005
Average income (per capita) $70,571 $58,968
Unemployment rate 3% 6%
State income tax 4% 0%
  • Rent is about 113% more expensive in Orlando than in Iowa.
  • Home prices are about 71% higher in Orlando than in Iowa.
  • The average income is about 16% lower in Orlando than in Iowa.
  • Orlando has a higher unemployment rate than Iowa by about 93%.
  • Income taxes are 100% lower in Orlando than in Iowa.

How life is different in Orlando from Iowa

Orlando Iowa
Population 307,573 3,207,004
Political leaning Democratic 49.8-48.3 Republican 53-45
Summer high 92ºF 84ºF
Winter low 49ºF 10ºF
Annual rain 52" 35"
Annual snow 0" 30"
Crime index 49.57 16.18
  • The population of Orlando is approximately 90% lower than the population of Iowa.
  • In the last presidential election, Orlando voted Democratic and Iowa voted Republican.
  • The average high in the summertime in Orlando is 92ºF and in Iowa, it’s 84ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Orlando reaches the temperature of 49ºF and Iowa gets down to 10ºF.
  • You can expect about 52 inches of annual rainfall in Orlando vs 35 inches of rainfall in Iowa.
  • In Orlando, it snows about 0 inches annually vs 30 inches of snow in Iowa.
  • Orlando has a higher crime rate than Iowa with a crime index of 49.57 vs 16.18.

Things to do in Orlando

Whether you’re looking for parks, museums, sports, or even universities, you’ll be happy to find a plethora of these in Orlando.

Museums in Orlandotoggle

  • Madame Tussauds Orlando
  • Orlando Science Center
  • Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition (Orlando)
  • Ripley's Believe It or Not! Orlando
  • Wells’Built Museum of African American History and Culture
  • The Orange County Regional History Center
  • Orlando Museum of Art
  • Walt Disney: One Man's Dream
  • Wycliffe Discovery Center
  • Orlando Fire Museum
  • Mennello Museum of American Art
  • Grand Bohemian Hotel Orlando
  • National Vietnam War Museum
  • Tupperware Confidence Center
  • Bronze Kingdom

Parks in Orlandotoggle

  • Lake Eola Park
  • Mako
  • Bill Frederick Park at Turkey Lake
  • Moss Park
  • B-52 Memorial Park
  • Bill Frederick Park and Pool at Turkey Lake
  • Dr. P. Phillips Community Park
  • Blanchard Park
  • Airport Lakes Park
  • Hal Scott Preserve

Sports Teams in Orlandotoggle

  • Orlando City SC (MLS)
  • Orlando Magic (NBA)
  • Orlando Pride (NWSL)
  • Orlando Solar Bears (ECHL)
  • Orlando Predators (NAL)

Universities in Orlandotoggle

  • University of Central Florida
  • Florida A&M University College of Law
  • Florida State University College of Medicine
  • Valencia College
  • Seminole State College of Florida

Other considerations when moving to Orlando, FL

  • Weather: Orlando has two basic seasons, a hot and rainy season, lasting from May until late October, and a warm and dry season from November through April.
  • 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: Individuals and companies engaging in for-profit local and intrastate moving within the Sunshine State must register each year with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services – Division of Consumer Services. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Florida moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
  • Moving permits: Florida 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 forwarded to Florida. Get started here.
  • Mover's insurance: Every state has their own requirements when it comes to insurance. Released Value Protection stands out as a cost-effective choice, provided by movers at no extra expense, although it comes with limited coverage. In this option, the mover's liability is capped at 60 cents per pound per article. To ensure comprehensive coverage matching the full value of your items, consult with your chosen moving company about alternative options or explore third-party insurance providers. Secure the best protection for your belongings during the move with these tailored coverage choices.
  • Moving checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.

FAQ

How long does a move from Iowa to Orlando take?

The time frame for a move from Iowa to Orlando, FL, varies based on your moving method and starting location. The actual loading up of your items should not take more than a day, even with DIY moves.

Obviously, the further upstate you are in Iowa, the longer the drive time to Orlando will be. If you’re driving a rental truck, the move could be completed in one or two days, on average, depending on your route and how often you stop.

With professional movers or moving containers, delivery times to Orlando from Iowa can range from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the company’s schedule and transit logistics. You can always ask for a general timeline before booking.

How far in advance should I book movers when moving from Iowa to Orlando?

Because of the 1337-mile move, it’s best to book your move from Iowa to Orlando as soon as you have your moving details. Ideally, you’d book your move two to three months ahead of time.

What time of year is the cheapest to move to Orlando, FL?

With the summer highs of 92ºF and the winter lows of 49ºF, most people move to Orlando from Iowa during the spring and fall months. To avoid competing during those busy moving seasons, you could save some money by booking your move to Orlando during summer or winter.

Helpful moving resources