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Things to know before moving from Iowa to Charlotte, NC
Cost of living: Iowa vs Charlotte, NC
| Iowa | Charlotte | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $914 | $1,790 |
| Average home value | $220,277 | $391,658 |
| Average income (per capita) | $70,571 | $64,814 |
| Unemployment rate | 3% | 3% |
| State income tax | 4% | 5% |
Charlotte sources: Zumper, Zillow, Numbeo
- Rent is about 96% more expensive in Charlotte than in Iowa.
- Home prices are about 78% higher in Charlotte than in Iowa.
- The average income is about 8% lower in Charlotte than in Iowa.
- Charlotte has a higher unemployment rate than Iowa by about 10%.
- Income taxes are 2% higher in Charlotte than in Iowa.
How life is different in Charlotte from Iowa
| Charlotte | Iowa | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 874,579 | 3,207,004 |
| Political leaning | Republican 51-48 | Republican 53-45 |
| Summer high | 89ºF | 84ºF |
| Winter low | 30ºF | 10ºF |
| Annual rain | 43" | 35" |
| Annual snow | 2" | 30" |
| Crime index | 46.52 | 16.18 |
Charlotte sources: Wikipedia, AllTransit, Walk Score, NeighborhoodScout, AirNow
- The population of Charlotte is approximately 73% lower than the population of Iowa.
- In the last presidential election, Charlotte voted Republican and Iowa voted Republican.
- The average high in the summertime in Charlotte is 89ºF and in Iowa, it’s 84ºF.
- During the coldest part of the year, Charlotte reaches the temperature of 30ºF and Iowa gets down to 10ºF.
- You can expect about 43 inches of annual rainfall in Charlotte vs 35 inches of rainfall in Iowa.
- In Charlotte, it snows about 2 inches annually vs 30 inches of snow in Iowa.
- Charlotte has a higher crime rate than Iowa with a crime index of 46.52 vs 16.18.
Things to do in Charlotte
Whether you’re looking for parks, museums, sports, or even universities, you’ll be happy to find a plethora of these in Charlotte.
Museums in Charlotte
Parks in Charlotte
Sports Teams in Charlotte
Universities in Charlotte
Other considerations when moving to Charlotte, NC
- Weather: Charlotte has a moderate climate. Your move is unlikely to be affected by the weather although, the rare snow day in the wintertime could make the road conditions difficult to drive on.
- 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: For-profit household goods carriers in the state fall under the jurisdiction of the North Carolina Utilities Commission, Transportation Division. All legitimate movers should have a “C Number” issued by the commission, signifying that they’ve met minimum insurance requirements and adhere to the provisions outlined in the state’s Maximum Rate Tariff (MRT). Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
- State regulator: You can verify a North Carolina moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
- Moving permits: North Carolina 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 North Carolina. Get started here.
- Mover's insurance: Every state has their own requirements when it comes to insurance. Choose Released Value Protection for no-cost, minimal coverage from movers, with responsibility limited to 60 cents per pound per article. For comprehensive coverage, explore alternatives with your chosen moving company or consider a third-party insurance provider.
- 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. Charlotte, NC
Comparing the pros of Iowa vs. Charlotte, NC:
There are always a lot of reasons to get excited about living somewhere new. These are the best parts of living in Iowa vs Charlotte side-by-side.
| Pros of living in Iowa | Pros of living in Charlotte, NC |
|---|---|
| Low cost of living | Delicious food |
| Ample economic opportunity | Ample economic opportunity |
| High quality of education | Quality education |
| No traffic | Low cost of living |
| Beautiful outdoors | Pleasant weather |
Comparing the cons of living in Iowa vs. Charlotte, NC:
Not everything is sunshine and rainbows, these are the things to be aware of when leaving Iowa for Charlotte.
| Cons of living in Iowa | Cons of living in Charlotte, NC |
|---|---|
| Severe weather conditions | Natural disasters |
| Limited recreational opportunities | Quiet nightlife |
| High taxes | Low diversity |
| High emphasis on politics | Terrible drivers |
| Rustic food | Terrible traffic |
FAQ
How long does a move from Iowa to Charlotte take?
The time frame for a move from Iowa to Charlotte, NC, 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 Charlotte 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 Charlotte 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 Charlotte?
Because of the 1035-mile move, it’s best to book your move from Iowa to Charlotte 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 Charlotte, NC?
With the summer highs of 89ºF and the winter lows of 30ºF, most people move to Charlotte 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 Charlotte during summer or winter.
