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Moving from New Hampshire to Iowa

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. No income or sales tax, white mountains, libertarian streak. vs. Corn country, low unemployment, surprisingly arts-rich.

NH state flag
Living now

New Hampshire

Capital: Concord

Median household income $90,845 · winter low 14°F · 197 sunny days

No income or sales tax, white mountains, libertarian streak.

IA state flag
Moving to

Iowa

Capital: Des Moines

Median household income $70,571 · winter low 13°F · 200 sunny days

Corn country, low unemployment, surprisingly arts-rich.

Iowa has an overall price level 87.8 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
New Hampshire
104.2
Iowa
87.8
Iowa has 16% lower overall price level
Housing index
New Hampshire
114.9
Iowa
65.3
Iowa has 43% lower housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
New Hampshire
101.0
Iowa
96.9
Iowa has 4.1% lower groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
New Hampshire
100.6
Iowa
98.2
Iowa has 2.4% lower utilities
Electricity rate
New Hampshire
26.9 ¢/kWh
Iowa
13.4 ¢/kWh
Iowa has 50% lower electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
New Hampshire
100.8
Iowa
97.6
Iowa has 3.3% lower transportation
Median home value
New Hampshire
$458,800
Iowa
$227,300
Iowa is 50% cheaper to buy a home
Median monthly rent
New Hampshire
$1,250/mo
Iowa
$769/mo
Iowa is 38% cheaper to rent

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

Summer high 85°F · Winter low 13°F · 200 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
New Hampshire
81°F
Iowa
85°F
Iowa is 4.9% more summer highs
Avg winter low
New Hampshire
14°F
Iowa
13°F
Iowa is 7.1% less winter lows
Avg annual temperature
New Hampshire
44°F
Iowa
48°F
Iowa is 8.6% more annual temperature
Sunny days / year
New Hampshire
197
Iowa
200
Iowa has 1.5% higher sunny days
Annual precipitation
New Hampshire
47 in
Iowa
35 in
Iowa is 25% less annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
New Hampshire
42
Iowa
73
Iowa has 74% higher AQI
Snow / year
New Hampshire
78 in
Iowa
30 in
Iowa is 62% less annual snowfall

Get the full New HampshireIowa 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 Iowa than New Hampshire?

Iowa's overall price level is roughly 90 (US avg = 100), vs about 105.4 for New Hampshire — 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?

New Hampshire tops out at 0% income tax. Iowa tops out at 3.8%.

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

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

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