Factors affecting the cost of moving from IA to PAtoggle

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

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

Cost of living: Iowa vs. Pennsylvania

Iowa Pennsylvania
Average rent cost $914 $1,110
Average home cost $220,277 $268,824
Average income (per capita) $70,571 $73,170
Cost of Living Index 89 99
Unemployment rate 3.0% 3.4%
Average Sales Tax 6.94% 6.34%
State Income Tax 4.4% 3.07%
  • Rent is about 21% more expensive in Pennsylvania than in Iowa.
  • Home prices are about 22% higher in Pennsylvania than in Iowa.
  • The average income is about 4% higher in Pennsylvania than in Iowa.
  • Cost of living is 11% lower in Pennsylvania than in Iowa.
  • Pennsylvania has a higher unemployment rate than Iowa by about 13%.
  • Sales taxes are 9% lower in Pennsylvania than in Iowa.
  • Income taxes are 30% lower in Pennsylvania than in Iowa.

How life is different in Pennsylvania vs. Iowa

Pennsylvania Iowa
Population 12,961,683 3,207,004
Political leaning Republican 51-49 Republican 53-45
Summer high 83ºF 84ºF
Winter low 19ºF 10ºF
Annual rain 44" 35"
Annual snow 38" 30"
Crime index 17.62 16.18
  • The population of Pennsylvania is approximately 304% greater than the population of Iowa.
  • In the last presidential election, Pennsylvania voted Republican and Iowa voted Republican.
  • The average high in the summertime in Pennsylvania is 83ºF and in Iowa, it’s 84ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Pennsylvania reaches the temperature of 19ºF and Iowa gets down to 10ºF.
  • You can expect about 44 inches of annual rainfall in Pennsylvania versus 35 inches of rainfall in Iowa.
  • In Pennsylvania, it snows about 38 inches annually versus 30 inches of snow in Iowa.
  • Pennsylvania has a higher crime rate than Iowa with a crime index of 17.62 vs. 16.18.

Comparing the pros of Iowa vs. Pennsylvania

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

Pros of living in Iowa Pros of living in Pennsylvania
Low cost of living Low cost of living
Ample economic opportunity Abundant fun and recreational activities
High quality of education Beautiful landscapes
No traffic Ample economic opportunity
Beautiful outdoors Excellent education options

Comparing the cons of living in Iowa vs. Pennsylvania

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 Pennsylvania.

Cons of living in Iowa Cons of living in Pennsylvania
Severe weather conditions Harsh winter weather
Limited recreational opportunities Bad driving conditions
High taxes Nuclear power plants
High emphasis on politics Unpredictable weather
Rustic food High taxes on gasoline

Other things to consider for your Iowa to Pennsylvania movetoggle

  • Weather: Pennsylvania experiences cold winters and humid summers. Summers are generally hot and humid. Moving toward the mountainous interior of the state, the winter climate becomes colder, the number of cloudy days increases, and snowfall amounts are greater. Tornadoes occur annually in the state, sometimes in large numbers, such as 30 recorded tornadoes in 2011; generally speaking, these tornadoes do not cause significant damage.
  • 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 decades movers In Pennsylvania were regulated by the Public Utility Commission (PUC). Each company was issued a PUC Number and was required to abide by a universal publicly published tariff that established the rates movers could charge for various services. Now, some sources claim that the PUC no longer regulates in-state movers, and it appears as though the PUC’s website is no longer functioning. So if you’re moving within Pennsylvania, you’ll want to address these issues with your moving company representative and if possible, contact the state directly. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Pennsylvania moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
  • Moving permits: Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania. 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. In Pennsylvania, movers typically offer Released Value Protection at no extra cost, covering items at 60 cents per pound. For more comprehensive coverage, inquire about Full Value Protection with the moving company, or explore third-party insurance options for tailored plans. Consider coverage limits, additional costs, and reviews before making a decision.
  • Moving checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.

Things to do in Pennsylvaniatoggle

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

  • Hersheypark
  • Gettysburg National Military Park
  • Fallingwater
  • Philadelphia Museum of Art
  • Visit Strasburg
  • Independence National Park and the Liberty Bell
  • Valley Forge National Historical Park
  • Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
  • Eastern State Penitentiary
  • Presque Isle State Park
  • Andy Warhol Museum
  • Longwood Gardens
  • Ohiopyle State Park
  • Knoebels Amusement Resort
  • Flight 93 National Memorial
  • Ricketts Glen State Park
  • Carnegie Museum of Natural History
  • Lake Tobias Wildlife Park
  • Eisenhower National Historic Site
  • Reading Terminal Market

FAQs

What is the cheapest way to move from Iowa to Pennsylvania?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 Pennsylvania?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 Pennsylvania separately through one of the top car shipping companies.

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

The main reasons people are moving from Iowa to Pennsylvania are the amazing upsides of living in Pennsylvania such as low cost of living and abundant fun and recreational activities.

Is it cheaper to live in Iowa or Pennsylvania?toggle

It is generally cheaper to live in Iowa than in Pennsylvania. Housing is more affordable in Iowa, with average rent about 18% less and home prices 18% lower than in Pennsylvania. However, taxes are lower in Pennsylvania, most notably income taxes, which are more than 30% less than those paid by Iowa residents.

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

You should make approximately $48,400 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in Pennsylvania. The cost of living in Pennsylvania is approximately $3,005 per month for an individual and $2,804 for a family of four. The exact amount you’ll need to live comfortably may be more or less depending on where in Pennsylvania you live For example, larger cities like Erie and Allentown will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.

Helpful moving resources