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Moving from Delaware to Iowa

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. No sales tax, beach towns, corporate registration capital. vs. Corn country, low unemployment, surprisingly arts-rich.

DE state flag
Living now

Delaware

Capital: Dover

Median household income $79,325 · winter low 26°F · 205 sunny days

No sales tax, beach towns, corporate registration capital.

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
Delaware
99.8
Iowa
87.8
Iowa has 12% lower overall price level
Housing index
Delaware
102.0
Iowa
65.3
Iowa has 36% lower housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
Delaware
100.0
Iowa
96.9
Iowa has 3.0% lower groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
Delaware
100.0
Iowa
98.2
Iowa has 1.8% lower utilities
Electricity rate
Delaware
17.6 ¢/kWh
Iowa
13.4 ¢/kWh
Iowa has 24% lower electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
Delaware
100.0
Iowa
97.6
Iowa has 2.4% lower transportation
Median home value
Delaware
$371,600
Iowa
$227,300
Iowa is 39% cheaper to buy a home
Median monthly rent
Delaware
$1,153/mo
Iowa
$769/mo
Iowa is 33% 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
Delaware
86°F
Iowa
85°F
Iowa is 1.2% less summer highs
Avg winter low
Delaware
26°F
Iowa
13°F
Iowa is 50% less winter lows
Avg annual temperature
Delaware
56°F
Iowa
48°F
Iowa is 13% less annual temperature
Sunny days / year
Delaware
205
Iowa
200
Iowa has 2.4% lower sunny days
Annual precipitation
Delaware
46 in
Iowa
35 in
Iowa is 24% less annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
Delaware
42
Iowa
73
Iowa has 74% higher AQI
Snow / year
Delaware
13 in
Iowa
30 in
Iowa is 131% more annual snowfall

Get the full DelawareIowa 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 Delaware?

Iowa's overall price level is roughly 90 (US avg = 100), vs about 100.5 for Delaware — 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?

Delaware tops out at 6.6% 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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