Local moving companies in Iowa

  1. Key City Moving & Storage: 4.66 out of 5 stars
  2. Claeys Brothers Moving & Storage Inc: 4.66 out of 5 stars
  3. TWO MEN AND A TRUCK: 4.66 out of 5 stars
  4. Porter Moving Company: 4.52 out of 5 stars
  5. Black Belt Movers: 4.52 out of 5 stars

Key City Moving & Storage

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar4.66 / 5

DOT #: 125563

Years in Business: 114

9710 Royal Wood Dr, Peosta, IA 52068

Key City Moving & Storage has been a trusted name in local residential moving services in and around Peosta, IA since 1910. With glowing customer feedback, including an average rating of 4.6 on Yelp and 4.9 on Google, as well as an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, they stand out among local competitors. They offer comprehensive services including packing, unpacking, and specialized fragile-only packing, ensuring a stress-free move. Unlike other movers, they don't require a deposit and accept both cash and credit cards, making them a customer-friendly choice for your next move.

Get a Quote (563) 582-3237

Review Profiles

Services Offered

Move Distances

  • Local moves
  • Interstate moves

Available services

  • Packing
  • Unpacking
  • Offices
  • Pianos
  • Storage
  • Fragile-only packing
  • Safes

Additional Information

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Claeys Brothers Moving & Storage Inc

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar4.66 / 5

DOT #: 70719

Years in Business: 69

5600 Harbor Dr, Sioux City, IA 51111

Claeys Brothers Moving & Storage Inc, a staple in Sioux City, IA since 1955, offers comprehensive local residential moving services. With a strong reputation reflected in their 4.2 average rating on Google and an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, they are a trusted choice among local movers. Unlike many nearby moving companies, Claeys Brothers also offer packing and unpacking services, as well as the capability to move pianos, art, and antiques. The firm accepts both cash and credit cards, and no deposit is required, making them a flexible and customer-friendly option for local moves.

Get a Quote (712) 252-1335

Review Profiles

Services Offered

Move Distances

  • Local moves
  • Interstate moves

Available services

  • Packing
  • Unpacking
  • Offices
  • Pianos
  • Art
  • Antiques
  • Crating
  • Storage

Additional Information

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TWO MEN AND A TRUCK

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar4.66 / 5

DOT #: 2527384

Years in Business: 27

2601 104th St #400, Urbandale, IA 50322

Two Men and a Truck, a reputable moving company in Urbandale, IA, has been providing local residential moving services since 1998. Renowned for their packing, unpacking, and labor-only services, they stand out by requiring no deposit and accepting credit cards, adding convenience for their clients. With an impressive average rating of 4.6 on Google from over 500 reviews and a BBB rating of A+, they excel in customer satisfaction compared to other nearby movers. Their proven track record makes them a trusted choice for local moves.

Get a Quote (515) 216-3654

Review Profiles

Services Offered

Move Distances

  • Local moves
  • Interstate moves

Available services

  • Packing
  • Unpacking
  • Pianos
  • Storage
  • Safes

Additional Information

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Porter Moving Company

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar4.52 / 5

DOT #: 2427654

Years in Business: 10

1151 26th Ave SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404

Porter Moving Company has been providing local residential moving services in and around Cedar Rapids, IA since 2014. Unlike many nearby movers, Porter Moving also offers packing, unpacking, and crating services, ensuring a comprehensive moving experience. Their capability to move specialty items like pianos and safes sets them apart. Consumer reviews are mixed, with strong Google ratings averaging 4.6 but lower Yelp reviews around 2.7, and a BBB rating of B-. Overall, Porter Moving is a reputable choice for local moves, backed by years of experience and a wide range of services.

Get a Quote (319) 560-5050

Review Profiles

Services Offered

Move Distances

  • Local moves
  • Interstate moves
  • International moves

Available services

  • Packing
  • Unpacking
  • Offices
  • Pianos
  • Pool Tables
  • Art
  • Crating
  • Storage
  • Safes

Additional Information

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Black Belt Movers

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar4.52 / 5

DOT #: 3527158

Pricing: $150/hr

Years in Business: 17

1209 SW ORDNANCE RD STE B, ANKENY, IA 50023

Black Belt Movers, serving the Ankeny, IA area since 2009, offers a comprehensive range of local residential moving services. With an A rating from the Better Business Bureau and an average Yelp rating of 4.0 based on 15 reviews, their reputation stands strong among nearby moving companies. They also provide office moving, packing, unpacking, and specialized services like moving pianos and antiques. Unlike many competitors, they accept credit cards, require no deposit, and provide full valuation insurance coverage.

Get a Quote (515) 393-4253

Review Profiles

Services Offered

Move Distances

  • Local moves

Available services

  • Packing
  • Unpacking
  • Offices
  • Pianos
  • Pool Tables
  • Art
  • Antiques
  • Crating
  • Full-valuation coverage
  • Storage
  • Fragile-only packing
  • Safes

Additional Information

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Factors affecting the cost of moving from IA to TNtoggle

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

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

Cost of living: Iowa vs. Tennessee

Iowa Tennessee
Average rent cost $914 $1,047
Average home cost $220,277 $319,208
Average income (per capita) $70,571 $64,035
Cost of Living Index 89 0
Unemployment rate 3.0% 3.3%
Average Sales Tax 6.94% 9.55%
State Income Tax 4.4% 0.0%
  • Rent is about 15% more expensive in Tennessee than in Iowa.
  • Home prices are about 45% higher in Tennessee than in Iowa.
  • The average income is about 9% lower in Tennessee than in Iowa.
  • Cost of living is 100% lower in Tennessee than in Iowa.
  • Tennessee has a higher unemployment rate than Iowa by about 10%.
  • Sales taxes are 38% higher in Tennessee than in Iowa.
  • Tennessee has no income tax.

How life is different in Tennessee vs. Iowa

Tennessee Iowa
Population 7,126,489 3,207,004
Political leaning Republican 64-36 Republican 53-45
Summer high 88ºF 84ºF
Winter low 27ºF 10ºF
Annual rain 53" 35"
Annual snow 5" 30"
Crime index 29.24 16.18
  • The population of Tennessee is approximately 122% greater than the population of Iowa.
  • In the last presidential election, Tennessee voted Republican and Iowa voted Republican.
  • The average high in the summertime in Tennessee is 88ºF and in Iowa, it’s 84ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Tennessee reaches the temperature of 27ºF and Iowa gets down to 10ºF.
  • You can expect about 53 inches of annual rainfall in Tennessee versus 35 inches of rainfall in Iowa.
  • In Tennessee, it snows about 5 inches annually versus 30 inches of snow in Iowa.
  • Tennessee has a higher crime rate than Iowa with a crime index of 29.24 vs. 16.18.

Comparing the pros of Iowa vs. Tennessee

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

Pros of living in Iowa Pros of living in Tennessee
Low cost of living Abundant recreational opportunities
Ample economic opportunity No income taxes
High quality of education Legendary music scene
No traffic Natural beauty and parks galore
Beautiful outdoors Delicious southern comfort food

Comparing the cons of living in Iowa vs. Tennessee

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 Tennessee.

Cons of living in Iowa Cons of living in Tennessee
Severe weather conditions Tendency for severe weather
Limited recreational opportunities Oppressive summer heat and humidity
High taxes Abundant presence of nuclear power plants
High emphasis on politics Traffic congestion
Rustic food High urban crime rates

Other things to consider for your Iowa to Tennessee movetoggle

  • Weather: Most of Tennessee has hot and humid summers and cool to mild winters, with the exception of some of the higher elevations in the Appalachians, which has mild summers and cool winters. The state averages about 15 tornadoes a year.
  • 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 Tennessee, 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 Tennessee moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
  • Moving permits: Tennessee 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 Tennessee. 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. When it comes to movers' insurance in Tennessee, most moving companies offer Released Value Protection at no extra charge. This basic coverage extends to 60 cents per pound per item. For increased protection, consider discussing Full Value Protection options with the moving company. Additionally, exploring third-party insurance providers is a viable choice for tailored plans. Prioritize understanding coverage limits, potential extra costs, and read reviews to make an informed decision about your moving insurance in Tennessee.
  • Moving checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.

Things to do in Tennesseetoggle

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

  • The Smokies: The Great Smoky Mountains National Park
  • Elvis Presley's Graceland
  • Grand Ole Opry House and Opry Museum
  • Tennessee Aquarium
  • Dollywood
  • The Hermitage: President Andrew Jackson's Home
  • Memphis Zoo and Aquarium
  • Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
  • Titanic Museum
  • Ruby Falls
  • Tennessee Civil War National Heritage Area
  • The Parthenon
  • American Museum of Science and Energy
  • Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum
  • Lookout Mountain
  • Beale Street
  • The Lost Sea Adventure
  • Bell Witch Cave
  • Ryman Auditorium
  • Crystal Shrine Grotto

FAQs

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

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

The main reasons people are moving from Iowa to Tennessee are the amazing upsides of living in Tennessee such as abundant recreational opportunities and no income taxes.

Is it cheaper to live in Iowa or Tennessee?toggle

It is generally cheaper to live in Iowa than in Tennessee. Housing is much more affordable in Iowa, with average rent about 13% less and home prices 31% lower than in Tennessee. Tennessee has no income tax.

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

You should make approximately $63,555 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in Tennessee. The cost of living in Tennessee is approximately $2,475 per month for an individual and $6,425 for a family of four. The exact amount you’ll need to live comfortably may be more or less depending on where in Tennessee you live For example, larger cities like Nashville and Memphis will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.

Helpful moving resources