Moving from Iowa to Tennessee ($2,500-$6,000)
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The cost to move from Iowa to Tennessee ranges from $2,500 to $6,000 with full-service movers, based on 557 real quotes from moveBuddha users. Use our moving cost calculator to get a number tailored to your move — it weighs distance, home size, and move date together instead of leaning on a flat Iowa to Tennessee average. This 705-mile route guide draws on our review of 36 movers based in Iowa.
How much does it cost to move from Iowa to Tennessee?
The average cost of moving from Iowa to Tennessee with full-service movers typically ranges between $2,500 to $6,000 for a 2-3 bedroom home. We calculated this average by reviewing 557 real-time quotes provided to moveBuddha users over the past 90 days. The average moving distance quoted was 705 miles.
The final price of your Iowa to Tennessee move will be dependent on the type of mover you choose, how much you're moving, time of year, distance, access, and add-on services. Get a free and accurate estimate using our moving cost calculator.
The rates below are for full-service movers, meaning the crew loads, transports, and unloads your belongings for you:
| Move Size | Full-Service Mover Cost |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,250 - $4,250 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,500 - $6,000 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,500 - $9,000 |
How much do moving containers cost from Iowa to Tennessee?
A moving container from Iowa to Tennessee costs between $750 and $3,750, depending on how much you're moving. For a 2-3 bedroom home, expect $1,500 to $3,000, roughly 50% less than full-service movers on this route. You pack and load the container yourself; the container company handles the 705-mile drive.
| Move Size | Moving Container Cost |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $750 - $2,000 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,500 - $3,000 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $2,000 - $3,750 |
How much does a rental truck cost from Iowa to Tennessee?
A rental truck from Iowa to Tennessee costs between $575 and $1,575. For a 2-3 bedroom home, budget $625 to $1,250, about 80% less than hiring full-service movers. That figure covers the truck itself; with gas in Iowa averaging $2.73 per gallon, fuel for the 705-mile drive, plus insurance, equipment rental, and lodging, all land on top of the base rate.
| Move Size | Rental Truck Cost |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $575 - $1,125 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $625 - $1,250 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $750 - $1,575 |
Add-on costs for an Iowa to Tennessee move
The figures above are linehaul: crew time on both ends plus 705 miles of transport. Accessorial charges are quoted separately, and on an Iowa to Tennessee route they commonly add 10% to 22% to the final invoice.
At 705 miles, an Iowa to Tennessee move is typically a one-to-two-day haul. That's the range where storage-in-transit and shuttle fees start appearing on quotes, since your shipment may sit briefly before a delivery window opens in Tennessee. Guaranteed-delivery upgrades are available but uncommon at this distance.
Cost of living is close between Iowa and Tennessee, so accessorial pricing on this route lands near national averages at both ends. Distance, not local labor rates, is what drives the numbers below.
| Add-On Service | Typical Cost (Iowa to Tennessee) |
|---|---|
| Full packing service | $1,000 - $2,575 |
| Packing materials only | $125 - $375 |
| Specialty item (piano, safe, pool table) | $300 - $800 |
| Appliance disconnect & reconnect | $100 - $250 |
| Stair or elevator carry | $75 - $225 |
| Storage-in-transit (per month) | $150 - $375 |
| Shuttle service at delivery | $175 - $525 |
| Auto transport (1 vehicle) | $375 - $575 |
| Full-value protection | 1% - 2% of declared shipment value |
Released-value protection at 60¢ per pound is included at no charge on every interstate move, but it pays out almost nothing on a damaged item. A 40-pound TV settles at $24. Full-value protection is the line item most worth the money on a 705-mile haul. Our moving cost calculator prices these accessorials into your Iowa to Tennessee estimate up front instead of leaving them to surface on moving day.
Our recommended Iowa to Tennessee Movers
Compare movers for your Iowa to Tennessee move
Before you request quotes, take a look at the Iowa long-distance movers our team has reviewed and rated for routes like this one to Tennessee:
2601 104th St #400, Urbandale, IA 50322
Claeys Brothers Moving & Storage Inc
5600 Harbor Dr, Sioux City, IA 51111
514 Clark St, Sioux City, IA 51101
9710 Royal Wood Dr, Peosta, IA 52068
Horizon Movers & Climate Control Storage
4726 N Brady St, Davenport, IA 52806
Alternate Iowa to Tennessee moving options
DIY moving options offer real cost savings on an Iowa to Tennessee move, with the right choice depending on how hands-on you want to be. Moving containers run about 50% less than full-service interstate movers, and rental trucks come in around 80% less.
With a rental truck (ex: U-Haul), you handle all the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus added costs like fuel, insurance, and equipment rentals on top of the base rate. If you'd rather skip the heavy lifting, local labor-only crews in Iowa run $59 - $80 per hour to load the truck for you, while you still drive and unload on the Tennessee end.
With a moving container (ex: PODS), you handle the packing and loading in Iowa on your own timeline, and the container company will drop it off in Tennessee for you to unload. A standard 16-foot container (the size most 2-3 bedroom interstate moves need) typically runs $323 - $822 to rent in Iowa, before the long-distance haul fee shown above is added.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed over 557 real quotes from Iowa to Tennessee, so our pricing data stays current. Use our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and spot bad actors early.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Tennessee to Iowa guide.
Iowa to Tennessee cost of living comparison
Before you commit to a Iowa to Tennessee move, it helps to know how the two states actually compare. Based on the moving trends moveBuddha tracks nationwide, cost of living, job markets, housing, and lifestyle are the factors that most often make or break a relocation decision:
| Factor | Iowa | Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 89 | 90 |
| Average household income | $70,571 | $64,035 |
| Median home value | $220,277 | $319,208 |
| Unemployment rate | 3.0% | 3.3% |
| State income tax | 4.4% | 0.0% |
The cost of living in Tennessee is comparable to Iowa, so most people making this move are driven by career, family, or personal reasons rather than cost differences. Day-to-day expenses should feel familiar after you settle in.
Getting to know Tennessee
Tennessee is nicknamed the Volunteer State. People who've made this move point to no income taxes, legendary music scene, and natural beauty and parks galore as the biggest draws. Kingston, Tennessee was the state capital for just one day.
Coming from Iowa, where winters average 10°F, expect winters in Tennessee to run about 17° milder. 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.
And in case you're feeling nostalgic once you're settled: The world best-renowned dance and gymnastics school is situated in Iowa.
Moving from Iowa to Tennessee FAQs
How does the cost of living in Tennessee compare to Iowa?
The cost of living in Tennessee is about the same as Iowa. Iowa has a cost of living index of 89 compared to 90 in Tennessee. The difference is small enough that day-to-day expenses like groceries, gas, utilities, and housing should feel familiar after your move.
The cost of living index measures how each state stacks up against the national average (baseline of 100). For example, a state with a score of 83 has costs that are 17% lower than the national average, while a score of 115 means costs are 15% higher than the national average.
Who regulates interstate moves?
Interstate moves (any move that crosses state lines, like an Iowa to Tennessee relocation) are regulated federally by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Every interstate mover needs a valid USDOT number — verify one for free at FMCSA's carrier lookup tool, and report violations to FMCSA at 1-888-368-7238.
In Iowa: When moving within Iowa, make sure to hire a company that is licensed by the Iowa Department of Transportation. Each household goods mover in the state should have an Iowa Motor Carrier (IOWAMC) Number, which means they’ve met minimum insurance and highway safety requirements. In Tennessee: 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.
Are full-service movers worth it for an Iowa to Tennessee move?
People making the Iowa to Tennessee move are often chasing abundant recreational opportunities in Tennessee — the kind of move worth protecting with professional handling rather than risking on a DIY haul.
Full-service movers are worth it for an Iowa to Tennessee move when any of the following apply: you're moving a large home (3+ bedrooms), your timeline is tight, you have high-value or fragile items that need professional handling, or you can't take time away from work to manage the logistics of a multi-day drive across state lines.
DIY options make more sense when you're moving a smaller home (1-2 bedrooms), cost is the primary constraint, and you have the time and physical capacity to handle loading, driving, and unloading yourself. Moving containers, about 50% less than full-service, are the best middle-ground for people who want to skip the drive but still save significantly over full-service pricing.
What hidden fees should I watch for on an interstate move?
On a 705-mile Iowa to Tennessee move, the hidden fees most likely to add to your bill are access fees, shuttle service, fuel surcharges, specialty-item handling, and storage-in-transit. Here's what each one actually runs on this specific route:
- Access fees (stairs, elevators, long carries): $75 - $225 when the truck can't load directly at either end.
- Long carry (over 75 ft): $100 - $350, priced off Tennessee's local labor rates since it's typically charged at delivery.
- Shuttle service: $175 - $525 when the moving truck can't reach your home directly.
- Fuel surcharges: 10% - 22% of the transportation charge on a route this length, which works out to roughly $250 - $1,325 on this move.
- Specialty-item handling (piano, safe, pool table): $300 - $800 per item.
- Storage-in-transit (per month): $150 - $375.
Ask your mover for a complete fee schedule in writing before booking, and confirm which of these are already built into your Iowa to Tennessee quote versus billed separately.
What are the best ways to lower my full-service moving bill?
The best ways to lower your Iowa to Tennessee moving bill are decluttering before the move, moving outside peak season, and scheduling a Tuesday - Thursday pickup mid-month. Each lever saves a meaningful amount on its own, and combining all 3 produces the biggest reduction.
- Declutter before the move: Removing 500 pounds (roughly a bedroom's worth of furniture and boxes) saves about $150 - $650 on a move at this route's price level, since long-distance moves are priced by weight. Read our guide on decluttering before your move for room-by-room tips.
- Move outside peak season: Off-season pricing (October - April) runs 20% - 30% below peak season (mid-May - mid-September) on a route this length, since demand is lower.
- Schedule mid-week, mid-month: Tuesday - Thursday pickups run 10% - 30% cheaper than weekends, and mid-month dates run 15% - 30% cheaper than the start or end of the month.
Beyond timing and inventory, get at least 3 quotes from comparable Iowa to Tennessee movers and ask if any will price-match a competitor's lower quote.
Popular Iowa to Tennessee moving routes
These are the most common city-to-city moves on the Iowa to Tennessee corridor. Each guide covers local mover recommendations, cost estimates specific to those metro areas, and neighborhood information to help you plan your destination.
Moving from Iowa to Tennessee: the bottom line
The cost to move from Iowa to Tennessee ranges from $2,500 - $6,000 for a 2-3 bedroom home with full-service movers. Moving containers and rental trucks cost 50% - 80% less for the same move. For most people making this 705-mile relocation, hiring a full-service mover is the most reliable option, especially for larger homes, time-sensitive moves, or relocations involving high-value items.
To get the best price, collect at least 3 quotes, book 4 - 12 weeks in advance depending on your season, and schedule a mid-week, mid-month pickup date when possible. Use our moving cost calculator to compare costs across all service types for your specific home size.
