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Moving from Iowa to Florida

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Corn country, low unemployment, surprisingly arts-rich. vs. No income tax, beaches, hurricanes, retiree haven.

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.

FL state flag
Moving to

Florida

Capital: Tallahassee

Median household income $67,917 · winter low 53°F · 237 sunny days

No income tax, beaches, hurricanes, retiree haven.

Florida has an overall price level 103.4 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
Iowa
87.8
Florida
103.4
Florida has 18% higher overall price level
Housing index
Iowa
65.3
Florida
122.1
Florida has 87% higher housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
Iowa
96.9
Florida
100.9
Florida has 4.0% higher groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
Iowa
98.2
Florida
100.5
Florida has 2.4% higher utilities
Electricity rate
Iowa
13.4 ¢/kWh
Florida
14.9 ¢/kWh
Florida has 11% higher electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
Iowa
97.6
Florida
100.7
Florida has 3.2% higher transportation
Median home value
Iowa
$227,300
Florida
$396,900
Florida is 75% more expensive to buy a home
Median monthly rent
Iowa
$769/mo
Florida
$1,589/mo
Florida is 107% more expensive to rent

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

Summer high 91°F · Winter low 53°F · 237 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
Iowa
85°F
Florida
91°F
Florida is 7.1% more summer highs
Avg winter low
Iowa
13°F
Florida
53°F
Florida is 308% more winter lows
Avg annual temperature
Iowa
48°F
Florida
72°F
Florida is 50% more annual temperature
Sunny days / year
Iowa
200
Florida
237
Florida has 19% higher sunny days
Annual precipitation
Iowa
35 in
Florida
55 in
Florida is 56% more annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
Iowa
73
Florida
43
Florida has 41% lower AQI
Snow / year
Iowa
30 in
Florida
0 in
Florida is 100% less annual snowfall

Get the full IowaFlorida 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 Florida than Iowa?

Florida's overall price level is roughly 99.6 (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. Florida tops out at 0%.

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

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

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