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Moving from Colorado to Iowa

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Outdoor paradise, booming Denver metro, legal weed. vs. Corn country, low unemployment, surprisingly arts-rich.

CO state flag
Living now

Colorado

Capital: Denver

Median household income $87,598 · winter low 18°F · 245 sunny days

Outdoor paradise, booming Denver metro, legal weed.

IA state flag
Moving to

Iowa

Capital: Des Moines

Median household income $70,571 · winter low 13°F · 200 sunny days

Corn country, low unemployment, surprisingly arts-rich.

Iowa has an overall price level 87.8 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
Colorado
103.1
Iowa
87.8
Iowa has 15% lower overall price level
Housing index
Colorado
127.4
Iowa
65.3
Iowa has 49% lower housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
Colorado
100.8
Iowa
96.9
Iowa has 3.8% lower groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
Colorado
100.5
Iowa
98.2
Iowa has 2.3% lower utilities
Electricity rate
Colorado
16.7 ¢/kWh
Iowa
13.4 ¢/kWh
Iowa has 20% lower electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
Colorado
100.6
Iowa
97.6
Iowa has 3.0% lower transportation
Median home value
Colorado
$574,600
Iowa
$227,300
Iowa is 60% cheaper to buy a home
Median monthly rent
Colorado
$1,627/mo
Iowa
$769/mo
Iowa is 53% cheaper to rent

Sources: NOAA Climate Normals · EPA AirNow (live) state-level

Summer high 85°F · Winter low 13°F · 200 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
Colorado
86°F
Iowa
85°F
Iowa is 1.2% less summer highs
Avg winter low
Colorado
18°F
Iowa
13°F
Iowa is 28% less winter lows
Avg annual temperature
Colorado
46°F
Iowa
48°F
Iowa is 4.8% more annual temperature
Sunny days / year
Colorado
245
Iowa
200
Iowa has 18% lower sunny days
Annual precipitation
Colorado
17 in
Iowa
35 in
Iowa is 111% more annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
Colorado
74
Iowa
73
Iowa has 1.4% lower AQI
Snow / year
Colorado
69 in
Iowa
30 in
Iowa is 57% less annual snowfall

Get the full ColoradoIowa report

Schools, healthcare, taxes, transportation, lifestyle, crime, family fit, move logistics, AI assistant, and 90-day timeline.

See the full comparison

Frequently asked

Is it cheaper to live in Iowa than Colorado?

Iowa's overall price level is roughly 90 (US avg = 100), vs about 103 for Colorado — based on BEA Regional Price Parities. Housing is the dominant driver of the difference. Run a comparison for the full, current breakdown.

What's the income tax difference?

Colorado tops out at 4.4% income tax. Iowa tops out at 3.8%.

How long do I have to register my vehicle in Iowa?

Most Iowa residents must register a vehicle within 30-60 days of moving. Check the piomover report for state-specific deadlines.

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