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Moving from Iowa to Colorado

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

IA state flag
Living now

Iowa

Capital: Des Moines

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

Corn country, low unemployment, surprisingly arts-rich.

CO state flag
Moving to

Colorado

Capital: Denver

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

Outdoor paradise, booming Denver metro, legal weed.

Colorado has an overall price level 103.1 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
Iowa
87.8
Colorado
103.1
Colorado has 17% higher overall price level
Housing index
Iowa
65.3
Colorado
127.4
Colorado has 95% higher housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
Iowa
96.9
Colorado
100.8
Colorado has 3.9% higher groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
Iowa
98.2
Colorado
100.5
Colorado has 2.3% higher utilities
Electricity rate
Iowa
13.4 ¢/kWh
Colorado
16.7 ¢/kWh
Colorado has 25% higher electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
Iowa
97.6
Colorado
100.6
Colorado has 3.1% higher transportation
Median home value
Iowa
$227,300
Colorado
$574,600
Colorado is 153% more expensive to buy a home
Median monthly rent
Iowa
$769/mo
Colorado
$1,627/mo
Colorado is 112% more expensive to rent

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

Summer high 86°F · Winter low 18°F · 245 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
Iowa
85°F
Colorado
86°F
Colorado is 1.2% more summer highs
Avg winter low
Iowa
13°F
Colorado
18°F
Colorado is 38% more winter lows
Avg annual temperature
Iowa
48°F
Colorado
46°F
Colorado is 4.6% less annual temperature
Sunny days / year
Iowa
200
Colorado
245
Colorado has 23% higher sunny days
Annual precipitation
Iowa
35 in
Colorado
17 in
Colorado is 53% less annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
Iowa
73
Colorado
74
Colorado has 1.4% higher AQI
Snow / year
Iowa
30 in
Colorado
69 in
Colorado is 130% more annual snowfall

Get the full IowaColorado 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 Colorado than Iowa?

Colorado's overall price level is roughly 103 (US avg = 100), vs about 90 for Iowa — 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?

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

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

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

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