Factors affecting the cost of moving from IA to VA
There are many factors that influence
Iowa moving costs.
The cost to move from Iowa to Virginia 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 VA
If you’re moving to Virginia from Iowa, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.
Cost of living: Iowa vs. Virginia
|
Iowa |
Virginia |
| Average rent cost |
$914 |
$1,440 |
| Average home cost |
$220,277 |
$392,682 |
| Average income (per capita) |
$70,571 |
$87,249 |
| Cost of Living Index |
89 |
0 |
| Unemployment rate |
3.0% |
2.9% |
| Average Sales Tax |
6.94% |
5.73% |
| State Income Tax |
4.4% |
5.75% |
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Rent is about 58% more expensive in Virginia than in Iowa.
-
Home prices are about 78% higher in Virginia than in Iowa.
-
The average income is about 24% higher in Virginia than in Iowa.
-
Cost of living is 100% lower in Virginia than in Iowa.
-
Virginia has a lower unemployment rate than Iowa by about 3%.
-
Sales taxes are 17% lower in Virginia than in Iowa.
-
Income taxes are 31% higher in Virginia than in Iowa.
How life is different in Virginia vs. Iowa
|
Virginia |
Iowa |
| Population |
8,715,698 |
3,207,004 |
| Political leaning |
Democratic 52-48 |
Republican 53-45 |
| Summer high |
87ºF |
84ºF |
| Winter low |
25ºF |
10ºF |
| Annual rain |
44" |
35" |
| Annual snow |
14" |
30" |
| Crime index |
19.3 |
16.18 |
-
The population of Virginia is approximately 172% greater than the population of Iowa.
-
In the last presidential election, Virginia voted Democratic and Iowa voted Republican.
-
The average high in the summertime in Virginia is 87ºF
and in Iowa, it’s 84ºF.
-
During the coldest part of the year, Virginia reaches the temperature of 25ºF
and Iowa gets down to 10ºF.
-
You can expect about 44 inches of annual rainfall in Virginia versus 35 inches of rainfall in Iowa.
-
In Virginia, it snows about 14 inches annually
versus 30 inches of snow in Iowa.
-
Virginia has a higher crime rate than Iowa with a crime index
of 19.3 vs. 16.18.
Comparing the pros of Iowa vs. Virginia
Getting a fresh start in a new location is exciting. Here’s a side-by-side look at the perks of living in Virginia compared to Iowa.
| Pros of living in Iowa |
Pros of living in Virginia |
| Low cost of living |
Strong economy |
| Ample economic opportunity |
Beautiful scenery |
| High quality of education |
Abundance of outdoor activities |
| No traffic |
Enjoyable four season weather |
| Beautiful outdoors |
Strong military presence |
Comparing the cons of living in Iowa vs. Virginia
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 Virginia.
| Cons of living in Iowa |
Cons of living in Virginia |
| Severe weather conditions |
High cost of living |
| Limited recreational opportunities |
Unpredictable weather |
| High taxes |
Bad traffic congestion |
| High emphasis on politics |
Lack of public transportation |
| Rustic food |
Air noise pollution |
Other things to consider for your Iowa to Virginia move
- Weather: Virginia has humid hot and humid summers and cool to mild winters. The Atlantic Ocean and Gulf Stream have a strong effect on eastern and southeastern coastal areas of the Commonwealth, making the climate there warmer and more constant.
-
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:
In addition to filing tariffs and complying with insurance, bond, and highway safety requirements, all intrastate moving companies in Virginia must have a certificate from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (VaDMV). Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
-
State regulator:
You can verify a Virginia moving license
and its status on the state regulator's official website.
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Moving permits:
Virginia 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 Virginia.
Get started here.
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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 Virginia, movers commonly offer Released Value Protection at no additional cost, providing coverage at 60 cents per pound. For increased protection, consider discussing Full Value Protection options with the moving company. Alternatively, explore third-party insurance providers for personalized plans. It's essential to understand coverage limits, potential additional costs, and read reviews to make an informed decision about your moving insurance in Virginia.
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Moving checklist:
Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.
Things to do in Virginia
While you’re in Virginia, you won’t be bored. These are some of the coolest places to visit in your new home state:
- Virginia Beach
- Colonial Williamsburg
- Arlington National Cemetery
- Busch Gardens
- The Natural Bridge
- Manassas National Battlefield Park
- Thomas Jefferson's Monticello
- George Washington's Mount Vernon
- Shenandoah National Park / Skyline Drive
- Richmond Canal Walk
- Luray Caverns
- Chincoteague and Assateague Islands
- Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center
- Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
- Historic Jamestowne
- Maymont Park
- Nauticus
- Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
- Military Aviation Museum
- Virginia State Capitol
FAQs
What is the cheapest way to move from Iowa to Virginia?
Do movers transport your car from Iowa to Virginia?
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 Virginia
separately through one of the top car shipping companies.
What are the benefits of moving from Iowa to Virginia?
The main reasons people are moving from Iowa to Virginia are the amazing upsides of living in Virginia such as
strong economy and beautiful scenery.
Is it cheaper to live in Iowa or Virginia?
It is generally cheaper to live in Iowa than in Virginia.
Housing
is much more affordable in Iowa,
with average rent about 37% less
and home prices 44% lower than in Virginia.
Taxes are also lower in Iowa, most notably income taxes,
which are more than 20% less than those paid by
Virginia residents.
How much should you make a year to live comfortably in Virginia?
You should make approximately $72,647 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in Virginia.
The cost of living in Virginia is approximately $3,208 per month for an individual and $4,783 for a family of four.
The exact amount you’ll need to live comfortably may be more or less depending on where in Virginia you live
For example, larger cities like Virginia Beach and Chesapeake will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.
Helpful moving resources
Best overall value
