$1,102 Movers From St. Louis, MO to Iowa

Quick answer: The cost to move from St. Louis, MO to Iowa averages from $425 to $5,486 depending on how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the move yourself.

Hiring a professional St. Louis moving company will be on the more expensive side, while renting a 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 Iowa to St. Louis, MO guide.

Moving from St. Louis, MO to Iowa resources

In this article, we’ll lay out everything you need to know for your upcoming move to Iowa. But first, here are a few resources if you need immediate answers:

Moving 339 miles is no joke. Here's what you need to know.

The best St. Louis to Iowa moving companies

Hiring an interstate moving company from St. Louis to Iowa 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 St. Louis to Iowa.

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
Licensedcheckmark
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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
Get A Quote
(980) 217-6841

% of users select this mover

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

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
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 St. Louis, MO to Iowa?

Here are average prices of hire a moving company, rent a moving container, or rent a moving truck when moving from St. Louis to Iowa:

Move size Moving company Moving container Rental truck
Studio / 1 Bedroom $1,102 - $3,263 $743 - $1,794 $372 - $658
2 - 3 bedrooms $1,877 - $5,486 $1,269 - $2,368 $425 - $854
4+ bedrooms $2,971 - $7,331 $1,780 - $3,009 $481 - $1,002
get a quote

*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 339 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.

The cost to move from St. Louis, MO to Iowa will depend on:

  • Move size: The amount of items you have — as well as your home size and layout — will impact the total cost of your relocation.
  • Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in St. Louis, so moving companies will likely charge more.
  • DIY vs. professional mover: DIY moving services are usually cheaper but involve more work and stress compared to hiring the pros.

How much does it cost to hire movers from St. Louis, MO to Iowa?

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from St. Louis to Iowa will cost between $1,102 to $3,263. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from St. Louis to IA will range from $1,877 to $5,486, and a large move from St. Louis to Iowa will cost from $2,971 to $7,331.

How much are moving containers like PODS from St. Louis, MO to Iowa?

Moving pods from St. Louis to Iowa will cost you $743 to $1,794. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,269 to $2,368. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $1,780 to $3,009. Learn more about PODS cost.

Here are the cheapest moving containers for your move from St. Louis to Iowa.

How much is a moving truck from St. Louis, MO to Iowa?

A moving rental truck is generally the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor.

Moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $372 to $658. A larger move will cost $425 to $854, and a four-bedroom or bigger move from St. Louis to Iowa costs from $481 to $1,002.

Is moving from St. Louis, MO to Iowa a good idea?

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

Cost of living: St. Louis, MO vs Iowa

St. Louis, MO Iowa
Average rent cost $1,125 $806
Average home cost $166,529 $207,215
Average income (per capita) $60,947 $70,571
Unemployment rate 6.3% 3.2%
State income tax 4.95% 4.4%
  • Rent is about 38% less expensive in Iowa than in St. Louis.
  • Home prices are about 17.3% higher in Iowa than in St. Louis.
  • The average income is about 14.6% higher in Iowa than in St. Louis.
  • Iowa has a lower unemployment rate than St. Louis by about 100.0%.
  • Income taxes are 11.11% lower in Iowa than in St. Louis.

How is life different in St. Louis, MO from Iowa?

St. Louis, MO Iowa
Population 293,310 3,200,517
Political leaning Democrat 81-16 Republican 53-45
Summer high 89ºF 84ºF
Winter low 23ºF 10ºF
Annual rain 42" 35"
Annual snow 16" 30"
Crime index 77.64 18.7
  • The population of Iowa is approximately 991% greater than the population of St. Louis.
  • In the last presidential election, Iowa voted Republican and St. Louis voted Democrat.
  • The average high in the summertime in Iowa is 84ºF and in St. Louis, it’s 89ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Iowa reaches the temperature of 10ºF and St. Louis gets down to 23ºF.
  • You can expect about 35 inches of annual rainfall in Iowa vs 42 inches of rainfall in St. Louis.
  • In Iowa, it snows about 30 inches annually vs 16 inches of snow in St. Louis.
  • Iowa has a lower crime rate than St. Louis with a crime index of 77.64 vs 18.7.

Comparing the pros of St. Louis, MO vs. Iowa:

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

Pros of living in St. Louis, MO Pros of living in Iowa
Rich culture Low cost of living
Bountiful arts and recreational activities Ample economic opportunity
Quality public transportation High quality of education
Low cost of living No traffic
Friendly people Beautiful outdoors

Comparing the cons of living in St. Louis, MO vs. Iowa:

Not everything is sunshine and rainbows, these are the things to be aware of when leaving St. Louis for Iowa.

Cons of living in St. Louis, MO Cons of living in Iowa
Poor education Severe weather conditions
High crime rate Limited recreational opportunities
Urban sprawl High taxes
Lack of economic opportunity High emphasis on politics
Pervasive poverty Rustic food

Considerations for moving to Iowa

  • Weather: Iowa has a humid continental climate throughout the state. Snowfall is common in Iowa. Spring brings in severe weather season. Iowa has about 50 thunderstorm days per year and has a tornado season. Iowa is known for hot and humid summers. Be sure to check the weather before your move, especially during the springtime..
  • HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
  • Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator you’ll want to check on how to reserve it for move day.
  • 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. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Iowa moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
  • Moving permits: Iowa 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 Iowa. Get started here.
  • Mover's 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: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.

Looking for local St. Louis movers?

Company Quote Rating Contact
McGuire Moving and Storage Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.9 overall rating
8645 South Broadway,, St. Louis, MO, 63111
(314) 241-0600
Cord Moving and Storage Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.8 overall rating
4101 Rider Trail N,, Earth city, MO, 63045
(866) 742-1558

Visit our best movers in St. Louis page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.

What to do in Iowa?

Whether you’re looking for parks, museums, sports, or even universities, you’ll be happy to find a plethora of these in Iowa.

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
  • Union Pacific Railroad Museum
  • Buffalo Bill Museum
  • John Deere Tractor & Engine Museum
  • Old Capitol Museum
  • Okoboji Classic Cars
  • Des Moines Art Center
  • Iowa Great Lakes Maritime Museum
  • Pottawattamie County Squirrel Cage Jail and Museum
  • Sioux City Public Museum
  • State Historical Museum

Parks in Iowa

  • Vander Veer Botanical Park
  • Gray's Lake Park
  • Pappajohn Sculpture Park
  • Eagle Point Park
  • Terry Trueblood Recreational Area
  • Clear Lake State Park
  • Mines of Spain Recreation Area
  • Eagle Point Park
  • Raccoon River Park
  • Big Woods Lake Recreation Area
  • West Lake Park
  • Centennial Park
  • Effigy Mounds National Monument
  • Rand Park
  • Bayliss Park

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
  • Drake University
  • Luther College
  • Cornell College
  • Wartburg College
  • St. Ambrose University
  • Dordt University
  • Central College
  • Coe College
  • Simpson College
  • Buena Vista University

Moving from St. Louis to Iowa FAQs

Why are people moving from St. Louis to Iowa?

Many people are moving to Iowa because of low cost of living and ample economic opportunity. On the other hand, people are moving away from St. Louis because of poor education and high crime rate.

Where can I find a list of long-distance moving companies from St. Louis?

Here are our top picks for the best long-distance movers in St. Louis.

Related articles to your move

Learn more about Iowa