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Moving from Iowa to Ohio

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Corn country, low unemployment, surprisingly arts-rich. vs. Cleveland Clinic, Intel chip plant, three big metros.

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.

OH state flag
Moving to

Ohio

Capital: Columbus

Median household income $66,990 · winter low 21°F · 178 sunny days

Cleveland Clinic, Intel chip plant, three big metros.

Ohio has an overall price level 92.8 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
Iowa
87.8
Ohio
92.8
Ohio has 5.7% higher overall price level
Housing index
Iowa
65.3
Ohio
73.0
Ohio has 12% higher housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
Iowa
96.9
Ohio
98.2
Ohio has 1.3% higher groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
Iowa
98.2
Ohio
98.9
Ohio has 0.8% higher utilities
Electricity rate
Iowa
13.4 ¢/kWh
Ohio
18.8 ¢/kWh
Ohio has 40% higher electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
Iowa
97.6
Ohio
98.6
Ohio has 1.0% higher transportation
Median home value
Iowa
$227,300
Ohio
$239,800
Ohio is 5.5% more expensive to buy a home
Median monthly rent
Iowa
$769/mo
Ohio
$878/mo
Ohio is 14% more expensive to rent

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

Summer high 84°F · Winter low 21°F · 178 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
Iowa
85°F
Ohio
84°F
Ohio is 1.2% less summer highs
Avg winter low
Iowa
13°F
Ohio
21°F
Ohio is 62% more winter lows
Avg annual temperature
Iowa
48°F
Ohio
51°F
Ohio is 6.4% more annual temperature
Sunny days / year
Iowa
200
Ohio
178
Ohio has 11% lower sunny days
Annual precipitation
Iowa
35 in
Ohio
40 in
Ohio is 13% more annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
Iowa
73
Ohio
42
Ohio has 42% lower AQI
Snow / year
Iowa
30 in
Ohio
25 in
Ohio is 17% less annual snowfall

Get the full IowaOhio 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 Ohio than Iowa?

Ohio's overall price level is roughly 89.4 (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. Ohio tops out at 2.75%.

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

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

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