Fact Checked by:
Best overall value
Local moving companies in St. Paul
Out of 34 St. Paul movers that can handle state-to-state moves, here are the top 5 that can handle your move to Iowa.
- Matt’s Moving Company : 4.7 out of 5 stars
- Piepho Moving & Storage, Inc.: 4.64 out of 5 stars
- Metcalf Moving & Storage: 4.44 out of 5 stars
- AAA Movers: 4.62 out of 5 stars
- Lighthouse Moving: 4.38 out of 5 stars
Company Info
State license #: 374236
Years in Business: 17
DOT #: 1704106
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 286311
Years in Business: 73
DOT #: 286311
Alternate Names: Rochester Transfer & Storage Company
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Art
- Antiques
- Grandfather clocks
- Crating
- Crane vans
- Shipment tracking
- Full-valuation coverage
- Safes
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
Years in Business: 105
DOT #: 1127088
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
Years in Business: 36
DOT #: 1140502
Alternate Names: AAA Movers Inc of Minnesota
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 1452848
Years in Business: 20
DOT #: 1452848
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Crating
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
Local moving services in St. Paul, MN
Here’s how many movers in St. Paul include specialty add-ons:
Cost to move from St. Paul, MN to Iowa
Check the table below for expected cost ranges to move from St. Paul to Iowa with various services, based on your home’s size.
| Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $883 – $3,132 | $596 – $1,463 | $273 – $513 |
| 2-3 bedrooms | $1,491 – $4,456 | $1,093 – $2,107 | $299 – $583 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $2,161 – $6,227 | $1,468 – $2,510 | $385 – $693 |
*These cost ranges are approximate estimates based on a 250-mile move from St. Paul, MN, to Iowa using pricing data compiled by moveBuddha as of Nov 17, 2025. moveBuddha gathers thousands of verified rates from movers across the country and refreshes them monthly to account for seasonal shifts and market trends. Your actual cost can change based on move size, added services, parking or access issues, fuel prices, and timing. We recommend getting quotes from several movers for the most accurate pricing.
Cost to hire movers from St. Paul to Iowa
If you’re packing up a studio or one-bedroom to move from St. Paul to Iowa, you can expect prices to land between $883 and $3,132. For a two- or three-bedroom space, your costs will usually range from $1,491 to $4,456 for the trip from St. Paul to IA. If you’re moving a large four- or five-bedroom home, you’re likely looking at a price tag between $2,161 and $6,227.
Cost of moving containers from St. Paul to Iowa
Moving containers from St. Paul to Iowa will cost you $596 to $1,463 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,093 to $2,107. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $1,468 to $2,510. Learn more about PODS cost.
Here are the cheapest moving container companies when moving out of St. Paul.
Cost of moving truck rentals from St. Paul to Iowa
Renting a moving truck typically costs the least, but you’ll be responsible for both the heavy lifting and all the driving.
Expect to pay between $273 and $513 to move a studio or one-bedroom apartment from St. Paul to Iowa with a rental truck. For a two- or three-bedroom move, prices usually range from $299 to $583. If you’re relocating a four-bedroom (or larger) home, you’ll likely spend anywhere from $385 to $693.
These estimates factor in the average cost of fuel.
Factors influencing moving costs from St. Paul to IA
Here’s what shapes the moving costs in St. Paul:
- Move size: The number of rooms and volume of belongings directly affect your final bill.
- Time of year: Summer moves in St. Paul fall during peak season, which usually means higher prices.
- DIY vs. professional mover: DIY moving services are usually cheaper but involve more work and stress compared to hiring the pros.
What you should know before moving from St. Paul to IA
Making the switch from St. Paul to Iowa might mean adjusting to a new lifestyle while possibly saving money. Since St. Paul is known for its higher expenses, this switch could lead to a more affordable living situation.
Take a look at the cost of living breakdown below to see exactly how St. Paul and Iowa stack up so you’ll be ready for what’s ahead.
Compare cost of living: St. Paul vs. Iowa
| St. Paul, MN | Iowa | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent | $1,350 | $914 |
| Average home cost | $278,221 | $220,277 |
| Average income (per capita) | $63,483 | $70,571 |
| Cost of living index | 102 | 89 |
| Unemployment rate | 4.9% | 3.0% |
| State income tax | 9.85% | 4.4% |
Iowa sources: Zumper, Zillow, Numbeo
- In Iowa, rent is about 32% lower than in St. Paul, making housing easier on your budget.
- Homes in Iowa are about 21% less expensive than in St. Paul, leaving you with a lighter mortgage.
- On average, incomes in Iowa run 11% above St. Paul, potentially improving your financial flexibility.
- Expect the cost of living in Iowa to be about 13% below St. Paul, giving you more financial flexibility.
- Iowa has a lower unemployment rate than St. Paul by about 39%, suggesting a stronger job market.
- Income tax rates are around 55% lower in Iowa, so your take-home pay will be higher than in Minnesota.
How life is different in St. Paul, MN from Iowa
From the weather and population to local politics, here’s how life in Iowa stacks up against what you’re used to in St. Paul.
| St. Paul, MN | Iowa | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 303,176 | 3,207,004 |
| Political leaning | Democratic 49.8-48.3 | Republican 53-45 |
| Summer high | 83ºF | 84ºF |
| Winter low | 7ºF | 10ºF |
| Annual rain | 32″ | 35″ |
| Annual snow | 52″ | 30″ |
| Crime index | 50.86 | 16.18 |
Iowa Sources: Wikipedia, AllTransit, Walk Score, NeighborhoodScout, AirNow
- In the last presidential election, Iowa leaned Republican, while St. Paul supported Democratic.
- Summertime highs settle at approximately 84ºF in Iowa as well as 83ºF in St. Paul, ensuring the climate feels quite familiar. Apart from temperatures, it’s important to think about humidity, weather trends, and energy costs to grasp what summertime will be like in your new area.
- Winter lows are nearly identical, averaging 10ºF in Iowa and 7ºF in St. Paul. With so little difference, your move shouldn’t disrupt your cold-weather lifestyle.
- In Iowa, you’ll experience about 35 inches of rain each year, pretty similar to the 32 inches you’re used to in St. Paul. While the totals are close, timing and seasonal rain patterns could still impact your routine.
- In Iowa, you’ll get about 30 inches of snow each year, far less than St. Paul. That means moving to Iowa will bring milder winters with less shoveling and fewer weather headaches.
- Iowa records a lower crime rate (16.18) than St. Paul (50.86), meaning you may enjoy more security and peace of mind after your move.
Other considerations when moving to Iowa
When you’re moving from St. Paul to Iowa, you’ll want to do more than just pack your boxes and hire movers. Make sure you’re up to speed on local rules, permits, and other logistics that could affect your move.
- HOA rules: Always check community regulations beforehand so your move-in goes smoothly.
- Elevator reservation: Be sure to reserve the elevator if your building requires it for move-ins.
- Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
- State licensing: 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. Before you hire a moving company, double-check that they’re properly licensed.
- State regulator: You can verify a Iowa moving license anytime on the official state regulator’s site.
- Moving permits: There’s no need for a moving permit in Iowa, but be sure to look up local parking rules before moving day.
- Change of address: Make sure to fill out your USPS change of address form at least a week before moving. You can choose your official move date and have your mail forwarded to Iowa. Get started here.
- Moving insurance: Every state has their own requirements when it comes to insurance. Choose cost-free Released Value Protection from movers for basic coverage at 60 cents per pound.
- Moving checklist: Nothing beats peace of mind. Our moving checklist makes it easy to stay organized and be sure you haven’t missed a thing.
Things to do in Iowa
Whether you’re into sports, parks, museums, or universities, Iowa has tons for you to discover and enjoy.
Museums in Iowa
- National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium
- Figge Art Museum
- National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library
- The Putnam Museum & Science Center
- Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center
Parks in Iowa
- Vander Veer Botanical Park
- Gray’s Lake Park
- Pappajohn Sculpture Park
- Eagle Point Park
- Terry Trueblood Recreational Area
Sports teams in Iowa
- Iowa Wolves (NBA G League)
- Iowa Hawkeyes (NCAA)
- Northern Iowa Panthers (NCAA)
- Iowa State Cyclones (NCAA)
- Drake Bulldogs (NCAA)
Universities in Iowa
- Iowa State University
- University of Iowa
- University of Northern Iowa
- Maharishi International University
- Grinnell College
FAQ
How long does a move from St. Paul to Iowa take?
Curious about how long it’ll take to move from St. Paul, MN, to Iowa? Most moves on this route usually take one to four days, depending on your service. Just a heads up. Moving during the hectic summer season might leave you open to delays.
To keep your move on track and steer clear of delays, be sure to ask about the delivery timeline before you book your movers.
How many movers provide custom crating for art or antiques?
There are 23 movers in St. Paul that offer customized crates for a variety of fragile, oversized, or oddly shaped pieces, including artwork, antique pieces, and electronics. If you will need special crating for any of your items, be sure to confirm with a St. Paul moving company that they will be able to accommodate your specific needs.
What is the best way to get a car from St. Paul to Iowa?
Need to get your car from St. Paul to Iowa? Use a company that prioritizes professionalism, cares for your vehicle, and is experienced. Here is our list of the best St. Paul to Iowa car shippers.
Why are people moving from St. Paul to Iowa?
Many people are moving to Iowa because of its low cost of living and ample economic opportunity.
Read more about the Pros & cons of moving to Iowa.
Where can I find a list of long-distance moving companies in St. Paul?
Here are our top picks for the best long-distance movers in St. Paul.
Can I pay for my move from St. Paul, MN, with cash?
There are 11 movers in St. Paul that accept cash payments. Even so, cash is not the norm in the moving industry, where traceable payment types are preferred. Plan to pay a deposit to lock in your booking and move date. The rest of the balance is usually due at pickup or after delivery—verify timing and accepted methods with your mover.
Helpful moving resources
Minnesota moving services
Popular Minnesota routes
Not what you were looking for?
Check out other categories that can help you find the information you need!
