Factors affecting the cost of moving from IA to OHtoggle

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

What to know before moving from IA to OH

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

Cost of living: Iowa vs. Ohio

Iowa Ohio
Average rent cost $914 $945
Average home cost $220,277 $230,798
Average income (per capita) $70,571 $66,990
Cost of Living Index 89 94
Unemployment rate 3.0% 3.6%
Average Sales Tax 6.94% 7.23%
State Income Tax 4.4% 3.5%
source: World Population Review, Zillow, US Census Bureau, US BLS, Tax Foundation
  • Rent is about 3% more expensive in Ohio than in Iowa.
  • Home prices are about 5% higher in Ohio than in Iowa.
  • The average income is about 5% lower in Ohio than in Iowa.
  • Cost of living is 6% lower in Ohio than in Iowa.
  • Ohio has a higher unemployment rate than Iowa by about 20%.
  • Sales taxes are 4% higher in Ohio than in Iowa.
  • Income taxes are 20% lower in Ohio than in Iowa.

How life is different in Ohio vs. Iowa

Ohio Iowa
Population 11,785,935 3,207,004
Political leaning Republican 55-45 Republican 53-45
Summer high 84ºF 84ºF
Winter low 20ºF 10ºF
Annual rain 40" 35"
Annual snow 28" 30"
Crime index 20.76 16.18
source: US Census Bureau, 270TOWIN, NeighborhoodScout, BestPlaces
  • The population of Ohio is approximately 268% greater than the population of Iowa.
  • In the last presidential election, Ohio voted Republican and Iowa voted Republican.
  • The average high in the summertime in Ohio is 84ºF and in Iowa, it’s 84ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Ohio reaches the temperature of 20ºF and Iowa gets down to 10ºF.
  • You can expect about 40 inches of annual rainfall in Ohio versus 35 inches of rainfall in Iowa.
  • In Ohio, it snows about 28 inches annually versus 30 inches of snow in Iowa.
  • Ohio has a higher crime rate than Iowa with a crime index of 20.76 vs. 16.18.

Comparing the pros of Iowa vs. Ohio

Getting a fresh start in a new location is exciting. Here’s a side-by-side look at the perks of living in Ohio compared to Iowa.

Pros of living in Iowa Pros of living in Ohio
Low cost of living Ample economic opportunity
Ample economic opportunity Low cost of living
High quality of education Bountiful recreational opportunities
No traffic Famously delicious beer
Beautiful outdoors Amazing food

Comparing the cons of living in Iowa vs. Ohio

Everything can’t be sunshine and rainbows all the time, no matter where you live. Here are some things to be aware of when leaving Iowa for Ohio.

Cons of living in Iowa Cons of living in Ohio
Severe weather conditions Low happiness
Limited recreational opportunities Limited diversity
High taxes Political division
High emphasis on politics Harsh weather
Rustic food Weird laws

Other things to consider for your Iowa to Ohio movetoggle

  • Weather: Ohio forms a part of what's considered both the snowbelt and the tornado alley which means your move may be affected if either of these are impacting the state on your move day.
  • 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: Although a local license is not required in Ohio, make sure the moving company you’ll be hiring is registered with U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). To verify if you’re dealing with a legal and licensed mover, you may ask them their USDOT registration number. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Ohio moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
  • Moving permits: Ohio 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 so that all your mail will get properly forwarded to Ohio. Get started here.
  • Mover's insurance: Interstate moving companies are required under federal law to provide basic insurance — also called “released value protection” — free of charge to all moving customers. Opt for cost-free Released Value Protection from movers, offering minimal coverage with a maximum liability of 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.

Things to do in Ohiotoggle

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

  • Cedar Point Amusement Park/Resort
  • Cleveland Museum of Art
  • Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum
  • Hocking Hills State Park
  • National Museum of the U.S. Air Force
  • Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens
  • Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal
  • Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
  • Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Gardens
  • Toledo Museum of Art
  • Fountain Square
  • Cuyahoga Valley National Park
  • Wright Memorial – Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park
  • National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
  • Ohio State Reformatory
  • West Side Market
  • American Sign Museum
  • A Christmas Story House
  • German Village
  • Greater Cleveland Aquarium
source: AttractionsofAmerica

FAQs

What is the cheapest way to move from Iowa to Ohio?toggle

Hiring a full-service Iowa moving company will be on the more expensive side, while a rental truck or a moving container is usually the cheaper way to go, but requires more work. Here’s our guide for the cheapest way to move out of state.

Do movers transport your car from Iowa to Ohio?toggle

Some full-service movers can coordinate auto transport for you as part of your relocation package for an additional fee. But you can also handle vehicle transport from Iowa to Ohio separately through one of the top car shipping companies.

What are the benefits of moving from Iowa to Ohio?toggle

The main reasons people are moving from Iowa to Ohio are the amazing upsides of living in Ohio such as ample economic opportunity and low cost of living.

Is it cheaper to live in Iowa or Ohio?toggle

It is generally cheaper to live in Iowa than in Ohio. Housing is more affordable in Iowa, with average rent about 3% less and home prices 5% lower than in Ohio. However, taxes are lower in Ohio, most notably income taxes, which are more than 20% less than those paid by Iowa residents.

How much should you make a year to live comfortably in Ohio?toggle

You should make approximately $65,020 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in Ohio. The cost of living in Ohio is approximately $2,637 per month for an individual and $6,989 for a family of four. The exact amount you’ll need to live comfortably may be more or less depending on where in Ohio you live For example, larger cities like Columbus and Cleveland will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.

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