Things to know before moving from Iowa to St. Louis, MO
Cost of living: Iowa vs St. Louis, MO
Iowa | St. Louis | |
---|---|---|
Average rent cost | $914 | $1,250 |
Average home value | $220,277 | $171,463 |
Average income (per capita) | $70,571 | $66,090 |
Unemployment rate | 3% | 6% |
State income tax | 4% | 5% |
St. Louis sources: Zumper, Zillow, Numbeo
- Rent is about 37% more expensive in St. Louis than in Iowa.
- Home prices are about 22% lower in St. Louis than in Iowa.
- The average income is about 6% lower in St. Louis than in Iowa.
- St. Louis has a higher unemployment rate than Iowa by about 110%.
- Income taxes are 9% higher in St. Louis than in Iowa.
How life is different in St. Louis from Iowa
St. Louis | Iowa | |
---|---|---|
Population | 293,310 | 3,207,004 |
Political leaning | Republican 58-42 | Republican 53-45 |
Summer high | 89ºF | 84ºF |
Winter low | 23ºF | 10ºF |
Annual rain | 42" | 35" |
Annual snow | 16" | 30" |
Crime index | 69.65 | 16.18 |
St. Louis sources: Wikipedia, AllTransit, Walk Score, NeighborhoodScout, AirNow
- The population of St. Louis is approximately 91% lower than the population of Iowa.
- In the last presidential election, St. Louis voted Republican and Iowa voted Republican.
- The average high in the summertime in St. Louis is 89ºF and in Iowa, it’s 84ºF.
- During the coldest part of the year, St. Louis reaches the temperature of 23ºF and Iowa gets down to 10ºF.
- You can expect about 42 inches of annual rainfall in St. Louis vs 35 inches of rainfall in Iowa.
- In St. Louis, it snows about 16 inches annually vs 30 inches of snow in Iowa.
- St. Louis has a higher crime rate than Iowa with a crime index of 69.65 vs 16.18.
Things to do in St. Louis
Whether you’re looking for parks, museums, sports, or even universities, you’ll be happy to find a plethora of these in St. Louis.
Museums in St. Louis
Parks in St. Louis
Sports Teams in St. Louis
Universities in St. Louis
Other considerations when moving to St. Louis, MO
- Weather: St. Louis experiences hot summers, cold winters, many thunderstorms, and tornados. There's a chance that the climate will affect your move so be sure to check the forecast ahead of time.
- 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: Movers that provide local and intrastate relocation services in Missouri fall under the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT). Every household goods mover operating in the state is required to have a MoDOT Number. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
- State regulator: You can verify a Missouri moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
- Moving permits: Missouri 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 Missouri. Get started here.
- Mover's insurance: Every state has their own requirements when it comes to insurance. Opt for Released Value Protection, the budget-friendly choice with no extra cost from movers. This minimal coverage ensures that movers are liable for a maximum of 60 cents per pound per item. For a comprehensive coverage of your valuables, explore alternative options with your chosen moving company or consider a third-party insurance provider. Ensure the full value of your items is covered by consulting with the moving company for suitable alternatives.
- Moving checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.
Compare the pros and cons of Iowa vs. St. Louis, MO
Comparing the pros of Iowa vs. St. Louis, MO:
There are always a lot of reasons to get excited about living somewhere new. These are the best parts of living in Iowa vs St. Louis side-by-side.
Pros of living in Iowa | Pros of living in St. Louis, MO |
---|---|
Low cost of living | Rich culture |
Ample economic opportunity | Bountiful arts and recreational activities |
High quality of education | Quality public transportation |
No traffic | Low cost of living |
Beautiful outdoors | Friendly people |
Comparing the cons of living in Iowa vs. St. Louis, MO:
Not everything is sunshine and rainbows, these are the things to be aware of when leaving Iowa for St. Louis.
Cons of living in Iowa | Cons of living in St. Louis, MO |
---|---|
Severe weather conditions | Poor education |
Limited recreational opportunities | High crime rate |
High taxes | Urban sprawl |
High emphasis on politics | Lack of economic opportunity |
Rustic food | Pervasive poverty |
FAQ
How long does a move from Iowa to St. Louis take?
The time frame for a move from Iowa to St. Louis, MO, 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 St. Louis 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 St. Louis 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 St. Louis?
Because of the 346-mile move, it’s best to book your move from Iowa to St. Louis 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 St. Louis, MO?
With the summer highs of 89ºF and the winter lows of 23ºF, most people move to St. Louis 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 St. Louis during summer or winter.