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Moving from Iowa to Tennessee

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Corn country, low unemployment, surprisingly arts-rich. vs. Music capital, no income tax, Nashville housing surge.

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.

TN state flag
Moving to

Tennessee

Capital: Nashville

Median household income $67,631 · winter low 30°F · 207 sunny days

Music capital, no income tax, Nashville housing surge.

Tennessee has an overall price level 91.9 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
Iowa
87.8
Tennessee
91.9
Tennessee has 4.7% higher overall price level
Housing index
Iowa
65.3
Tennessee
79.1
Tennessee has 21% higher housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
Iowa
96.9
Tennessee
98.0
Tennessee has 1.1% higher groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
Iowa
98.2
Tennessee
98.8
Tennessee has 0.6% higher utilities
Electricity rate
Iowa
13.4 ¢/kWh
Tennessee
15.1 ¢/kWh
Tennessee has 12% higher electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
Iowa
97.6
Tennessee
98.4
Tennessee has 0.8% higher transportation
Median home value
Iowa
$227,300
Tennessee
$332,600
Tennessee is 46% more expensive to buy a home
Median monthly rent
Iowa
$769/mo
Tennessee
$1,180/mo
Tennessee is 53% more expensive to rent

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

Summer high 89°F · Winter low 30°F · 207 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
Iowa
85°F
Tennessee
89°F
Tennessee is 4.7% more summer highs
Avg winter low
Iowa
13°F
Tennessee
30°F
Tennessee is 131% more winter lows
Avg annual temperature
Iowa
48°F
Tennessee
58°F
Tennessee is 20% more annual temperature
Sunny days / year
Iowa
200
Tennessee
207
Tennessee has 3.5% higher sunny days
Annual precipitation
Iowa
35 in
Tennessee
54 in
Tennessee is 53% more annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
Iowa
73
Tennessee
50
Tennessee has 32% lower AQI
Snow / year
Iowa
30 in
Tennessee
5 in
Tennessee is 83% less annual snowfall

Get the full IowaTennessee 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 Tennessee than Iowa?

Tennessee's overall price level is roughly 91.9 (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. Tennessee tops out at 0%.

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

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

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