Skip to content

Free comparison

Moving from New Jersey to Iowa

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Highest property taxes, wealthy suburbs, NYC + Philly access. vs. Corn country, low unemployment, surprisingly arts-rich.

NJ state flag
Living now

New Jersey

Capital: Trenton

Median household income $97,126 · winter low 24°F · 207 sunny days

Highest property taxes, wealthy suburbs, NYC + Philly access.

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 Jersey
108.8
Iowa
87.8
Iowa has 19% lower overall price level
Housing index
New Jersey
134.3
Iowa
65.3
Iowa has 51% lower housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
New Jersey
102.2
Iowa
96.9
Iowa has 5.1% lower groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
New Jersey
101.3
Iowa
98.2
Iowa has 3.1% lower utilities
Electricity rate
New Jersey
23.5 ¢/kWh
Iowa
13.4 ¢/kWh
Iowa has 43% lower electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
New Jersey
101.8
Iowa
97.6
Iowa has 4.1% lower transportation
Median home value
New Jersey
$496,000
Iowa
$227,300
Iowa is 54% cheaper to buy a home
Median monthly rent
New Jersey
$1,554/mo
Iowa
$769/mo
Iowa is 51% 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 Jersey
86°F
Iowa
85°F
Iowa is 1.2% less summer highs
Avg winter low
New Jersey
24°F
Iowa
13°F
Iowa is 46% less winter lows
Avg annual temperature
New Jersey
53°F
Iowa
48°F
Iowa is 8.4% less annual temperature
Sunny days / year
New Jersey
207
Iowa
200
Iowa has 3.4% lower sunny days
Annual precipitation
New Jersey
48 in
Iowa
35 in
Iowa is 26% less annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
New Jersey
44
Iowa
73
Iowa has 66% higher AQI
Snow / year
New Jersey
24 in
Iowa
30 in
Iowa is 25% more annual snowfall

Get the full New JerseyIowa 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 Jersey?

Iowa's overall price level is roughly 90 (US avg = 100), vs about 110.5 for New Jersey — 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 Jersey tops out at 10.75% 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.

Related comparisons