$1,484 Movers From Seattle, WA to Iowa

Quick answer: The cost to move from Seattle, WA to Iowa averages from $1,149 to $8,012 depending on how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the move yourself.

Hiring a professional Seattle 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 Seattle, WA guide.

Moving from Seattle, WA 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 1,773 miles is no joke. Here's what you need to know.

The best Seattle to Iowa moving companies

Hiring an interstate moving company from Seattle 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 Seattle to Iowa.

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
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
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • 20 yrs experience
  • Flat rate pricing
  • Family owned
Get A Quote
(866) 835-2392

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.45 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
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
Insuredcheckmark
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 Seattle, WA to Iowa?

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

Move size Moving company Moving container Rental truck
Studio / 1 Bedroom $1,484 - $5,843 $1,152 - $2,761 $1,030 - $1,980
2 - 3 bedrooms $3,536 - $8,012 $1,955 - $3,956 $1,149 - $2,528
4+ bedrooms $6,732 - $11,519 $2,751 - $5,585 $1,537 - $2,944
get a quote

*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 1,773 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 Seattle, WA 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 Seattle, 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 Seattle, WA to Iowa?

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Seattle to Iowa will cost between $1,484 to $5,843. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from Seattle to IA will range from $3,536 to $8,012, and a large move from Seattle to Iowa will cost from $6,732 to $11,519.

How much are moving containers like PODS from Seattle, WA to Iowa?

Moving pods from Seattle to Iowa will cost you $1,152 to $2,761. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,955 to $3,956. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $2,751 to $5,585. Learn more about PODS cost.

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

How much is a moving truck from Seattle, WA 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 $1,030 to $1,980. A larger move will cost $1,149 to $2,528, and a four-bedroom or bigger move from Seattle to Iowa costs from $1,537 to $2,944.

Is moving from Seattle, WA to Iowa a good idea?

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

Cost of living: Seattle, WA vs Iowa

Seattle, WA Iowa
Average rent cost $2,000 $806
Average home cost $824,264 $207,215
Average income (per capita) $75,156 $70,571
Unemployment rate 4.8% 3.2%
State income tax 0.0% 4.4%
  • Rent is about 95% less expensive in Iowa than in Seattle.
  • Home prices are about 105.9% lower in Iowa than in Seattle.
  • The average income is about 6.2% lower in Iowa than in Seattle.
  • Iowa has a lower unemployment rate than Seattle by about 35.6%.
  • Income taxes are 4.40% higher in Iowa than in Seattle.

How is life different in Seattle, WA from Iowa?

Seattle, WA Iowa
Population 737,015 3,200,517
Political leaning Democrat 75-22 Republican 53-45
Summer high 76ºF 84ºF
Winter low 36ºF 10ºF
Annual rain 38" 35"
Annual snow 5" 30"
Crime index 59.09 18.7
  • The population of Iowa is approximately 334% greater than the population of Seattle.
  • In the last presidential election, Iowa voted Republican and Seattle voted Democrat.
  • The average high in the summertime in Iowa is 84ºF and in Seattle, it’s 76ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Iowa reaches the temperature of 10ºF and Seattle gets down to 36ºF.
  • You can expect about 35 inches of annual rainfall in Iowa vs 38 inches of rainfall in Seattle.
  • In Iowa, it snows about 30 inches annually vs 5 inches of snow in Seattle.
  • Iowa has a lower crime rate than Seattle with a crime index of 59.09 vs 18.7.

Comparing the pros of Seattle, WA vs. Iowa:

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

Pros of living in Seattle, WA Pros of living in Iowa
Beautiful nature Low cost of living
Ample economic opportunity Ample economic opportunity
Safe High quality of education
Delicious seafood No traffic
Bountiful arts and recreational activities Beautiful outdoors

Comparing the cons of living in Seattle, WA vs. Iowa:

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

Cons of living in Seattle, WA Cons of living in Iowa
High cost of living Severe weather conditions
Rainy weather Limited recreational opportunities
Xenophobic residents High taxes
Terrible traffic High emphasis on politics
Expensive housing market 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 Seattle movers?

Company Quote Rating Contact
Eco Movers Moving Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.96 overall rating
1200 W Nickerson St, Seattle, WA, 98119
(206) 971-6895
ANC Movers Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.86 overall rating
5305 NE 121st Ave #106, Vancouver, WA, 98682
(360) 992-8702

Visit our best movers in Seattle 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 Seattle to Iowa FAQs

Why are people moving from Seattle 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 Seattle because of high cost of living and rainy weather.

Where can I find a list of long-distance moving companies from Seattle?

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

Related articles to your move

Learn more about Iowa