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Moving from Iowa to Maryland

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Corn country, low unemployment, surprisingly arts-rich. vs. DC commuter belt, top public schools, Chesapeake Bay.

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.

MD state flag
Moving to

Maryland

Capital: Annapolis

Median household income $98,461 · winter low 25°F · 198 sunny days

DC commuter belt, top public schools, Chesapeake Bay.

Maryland has an overall price level 105.0 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
Iowa
87.8
Maryland
105.0
Maryland has 20% higher overall price level
Housing index
Iowa
65.3
Maryland
121.1
Maryland has 85% higher housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
Iowa
96.9
Maryland
101.2
Maryland has 4.4% higher groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
Iowa
98.2
Maryland
100.7
Maryland has 2.6% higher utilities
Electricity rate
Iowa
13.4 ¢/kWh
Maryland
35.9 ¢/kWh
Maryland has 167% higher electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
Iowa
97.6
Maryland
101.0
Maryland has 3.5% higher transportation
Median home value
Iowa
$227,300
Maryland
$436,300
Maryland is 92% more expensive to buy a home
Median monthly rent
Iowa
$769/mo
Maryland
$1,470/mo
Maryland is 91% more expensive to rent

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

Summer high 87°F · Winter low 25°F · 198 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
Iowa
85°F
Maryland
87°F
Maryland is 2.4% more summer highs
Avg winter low
Iowa
13°F
Maryland
25°F
Maryland is 92% more winter lows
Avg annual temperature
Iowa
48°F
Maryland
55°F
Maryland is 14% more annual temperature
Sunny days / year
Iowa
200
Maryland
198
Maryland has 1.0% lower sunny days
Annual precipitation
Iowa
35 in
Maryland
44 in
Maryland is 25% more annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
Iowa
73
Maryland
43
Maryland has 41% lower AQI
Snow / year
Iowa
30 in
Maryland
28 in
Maryland is 6.7% less annual snowfall

Get the full IowaMaryland 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 Maryland than Iowa?

Maryland's overall price level is roughly 105.1 (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. Maryland tops out at 6.5%.

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

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

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