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Moving from Iowa to Utah

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Corn country, low unemployment, surprisingly arts-rich. vs. Best ski resorts, youngest state, booming Silicon Slopes.

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.

UT state flag
Moving to

Utah

Capital: Salt Lake City

Median household income $89,168 · winter low 22°F · 222 sunny days

Best ski resorts, youngest state, booming Silicon Slopes.

Utah has an overall price level 98.9 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
Iowa
87.8
Utah
98.9
Utah has 13% higher overall price level
Housing index
Iowa
65.3
Utah
107.8
Utah has 65% higher housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
Iowa
96.9
Utah
99.7
Utah has 2.9% higher groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
Iowa
98.2
Utah
99.8
Utah has 1.7% higher utilities
Electricity rate
Iowa
13.4 ¢/kWh
Utah
13.2 ¢/kWh
Utah has 1.9% lower electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
Iowa
97.6
Utah
99.8
Utah has 2.3% higher transportation
Median home value
Iowa
$227,300
Utah
$545,200
Utah is 140% more expensive to buy a home
Median monthly rent
Iowa
$769/mo
Utah
$1,343/mo
Utah is 75% more expensive to rent

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

Summer high 93°F · Winter low 22°F · 222 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
Iowa
85°F
Utah
93°F
Utah is 9.4% more summer highs
Avg winter low
Iowa
13°F
Utah
22°F
Utah is 69% more winter lows
Avg annual temperature
Iowa
48°F
Utah
49°F
Utah is 2.1% more annual temperature
Sunny days / year
Iowa
200
Utah
222
Utah has 11% higher sunny days
Annual precipitation
Iowa
35 in
Utah
14 in
Utah is 59% less annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
Iowa
73
Utah
46
Utah has 37% lower AQI
Snow / year
Iowa
30 in
Utah
52 in
Utah is 73% more annual snowfall

Get the full IowaUtah 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 Utah than Iowa?

Utah's overall price level is roughly 96.9 (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. Utah tops out at 4.5%.

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

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

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