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Moving from Iowa to Indiana

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Corn country, low unemployment, surprisingly arts-rich. vs. Affordable, manufacturing & logistics, Indy 500.

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.

IN state flag
Moving to

Indiana

Capital: Indianapolis

Median household income $67,173 · winter low 22°F · 186 sunny days

Affordable, manufacturing & logistics, Indy 500.

Indiana has an overall price level 93.3 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
Iowa
87.8
Indiana
93.3
Indiana has 6.3% higher overall price level
Housing index
Iowa
65.3
Indiana
73.9
Indiana has 13% higher housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
Iowa
96.9
Indiana
98.3
Indiana has 1.4% higher groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
Iowa
98.2
Indiana
99.0
Indiana has 0.9% higher utilities
Electricity rate
Iowa
13.4 ¢/kWh
Indiana
17.9 ¢/kWh
Indiana has 33% higher electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
Iowa
97.6
Indiana
98.7
Indiana has 1.1% higher transportation
Median home value
Iowa
$227,300
Indiana
$243,500
Indiana is 7.1% more expensive to buy a home
Median monthly rent
Iowa
$769/mo
Indiana
$931/mo
Indiana is 21% more expensive to rent

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

Summer high 85°F · Winter low 22°F · 186 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
Iowa
85°F
Indiana
85°F
Avg winter low
Iowa
13°F
Indiana
22°F
Indiana is 69% more winter lows
Avg annual temperature
Iowa
48°F
Indiana
52°F
Indiana is 8.1% more annual temperature
Sunny days / year
Iowa
200
Indiana
186
Indiana has 7.0% lower sunny days
Annual precipitation
Iowa
35 in
Indiana
43 in
Indiana is 22% more annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
Iowa
73
Indiana
56
Indiana has 23% lower AQI
Snow / year
Iowa
30 in
Indiana
20 in
Indiana is 33% less annual snowfall

Get the full IowaIndiana 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 Indiana than Iowa?

Indiana's overall price level is roughly 90.4 (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. Indiana tops out at 2.95%.

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

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

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