$1,358 Movers From Iowa to Pennsylvania

The cost to move from Iowa to Pennsylvania averages from $737 to $7,190 depending on how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the move yourself.

Hiring a full-service Iowa moving company will be on the more expensive side, while a rental truck or a moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.

Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Moving from Pennsylvania to Iowa guide.

Moving from Iowa to Pennsylvania resources

Moving 910 miles is no joke. Here's what you need to know.

The best Iowa to Pennsylvania movers

Hiring an interstate moving company from Iowa to Pennsylvania is a big deal.

There are more than 8,000 moving companies in the U.S. But don’t worry, you won’t have to filter through all of them. We’ve done the research for you and narrowed the list based on customer satisfaction, cost, and services. Here are the best long-distance moving companies serving Iowa to Pennsylvania.

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Best overall value
  • Portion to charity
  • Veteran owned
Get A Quote
(855) 650-0657

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • 20 yrs experience
  • Flat rate pricing
  • Family owned
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(866) 835-2392

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.45 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Family owned
  • East coast focus
  • Affordable pricing
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(980) 217-6841

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • 74 years in biz
  • 1,800 trucks
  • Storage available
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(844) 950-2963

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • White glove
  • Expensive items
  • Guaranteed delivery
Get A Quote
(703) 972-1772

% of users select this mover

If you’re just trying to ship a few items, here’s a list of our recommended services for small moves.

How much does it cost to move from Iowa to Pennsylvania?

The table below lays out average cost ranges when moving from Iowa to Pennsylvania for different moving services depending on the size of your home.

Move size Moving company Moving container Rental truck
Studio / 1 Bedroom $1,358 - $5,174 $950 - $2,196 $703 - $1,370
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,815 - $7,190 $1,722 - $3,311 $737 - $1,533
4+ bedrooms $4,652 - $9,654 $2,317 - $4,382 $962 - $1,901
get a quote

*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 910 miles and historical averages. The actual size of your move, additional services required, truck parking access, market conditions, and availability can greatly affect the final cost of your move.

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.

How much does it cost to hire movers from Iowa to Pennsylvania?

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Iowa to Pennsylvania will cost between $1,358 to $5,174. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from IA to PA will range from $2,815 to $7,190, and a large move from Iowa to Pennsylvania will cost from $4,652 to $9,654.

How much are moving containers like PODS from Iowa to Pennsylvania?

Moving containers from Iowa to Pennsylvania will cost you $950 to $2,196 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,722 to $3,311. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $2,317 to $4,382. Learn more about PODS cost.

Here are the cheapest moving container companies when moving out of Iowa.

How much is a moving truck from Iowa to Pennsylvania?

A moving rental truck is generally the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor; these estimates include the estimated fuel cost:

Moving a studio or 1-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $703 to $1,370. A larger move will cost $737 to $1,533, and a 4+ bedroom move from Iowa to Pennsylvania costs from $962 to $1,901.

Is moving from Iowa to Pennsylvania a good idea?

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 $806 $958
Average home cost $207,215 $254,802
Average income (per capita) $70,571 $73,170
Cost of Living Index 89 99
Unemployment rate 3.2% 3.4%
Average Sales Tax 6.94% 6.34%
State Income Tax 4.4% 3.07%
  • Rent is about 19% more expensive in Pennsylvania than in Iowa.
  • Home prices are about 23.0% higher in Pennsylvania than in Iowa.
  • The average income is about 3.7% higher in Pennsylvania than in Iowa.
  • Cost of living is 11.2% lower in Pennsylvania than in Iowa.
  • Pennsylvania has a higher unemployment rate than Iowa by about 6.2%.
  • Sales taxes are 8.65% lower in Pennsylvania than in Iowa.
  • Income taxes are 30.23% lower in Pennsylvania than in Iowa.

How is life different in Pennsylvania from Iowa?

Pennsylvania Iowa
Population 12,964,056 3,200,517
Political leaning Democratic 50-49 Republican 53-45
Summer High 83ºF 84ºF
Winter Low 19ºF 10ºF
Annual Rain 44" 35"
Annual Snow 38" 30"
Crime Index 19.07 18.7
  • The population of Pennsylvania is approximately 305% greater than the population of Iowa.
  • In the last presidential election, Pennsylvania voted Democratic 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 vs 35 inches of rainfall in Iowa.
  • In Pennsylvania, it snows about 38 inches annually vs 30 inches of snow in Iowa.
  • Pennsylvania has a higher crime rate than Iowa with a crime index of 19.07 vs 18.7.

Comparing the pros of Iowa vs. Pennsylvania:

There are always a lot of reasons to get excited about living somewhere new. These are the best parts of living in Iowa vs Pennsylvania side-by-side.

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:

Not everything is sunshine and rainbows, these are the 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

Considerations for moving to Pennsylvania

  • 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 and this way all of your mail will get properly forward to Pennsylvania. Get started here.
  • Mover's Insurance: Every state has their own requirements when it comes to insurance. 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.

Looking for local Iowa movers?

Company Quote Rating Contact
Black Belt Movers Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.62 overall rating
1209 SW ORDNANCE RD STE B, ANKENY, IA, 50023
(515) 393-4253
All Mighty Movers LLC Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.58 overall rating
59 Clark St., Des Moines, IA, 50314
(515) 313-1395

Visit our Best Movers in Iowa page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.

Things to do in Pennsylvania

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 about moving from Iowa to Pennsylvania

What is the cheapest way to move from Iowa to Pennsylvania?

The cheapest way to move from Iowa to Pennsylvania is with a DIY move. Here’s our guide for the cheapest way to move out of state.

What are the benefits of moving from Iowa to Pennsylvania?

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.

Related articles to your move

Learn more about Pennsylvania