Skip to content

Free comparison

Moving from Utah to Iowa

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

UT state flag
Living now

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.

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
Utah
98.9
Iowa
87.8
Iowa has 11% lower overall price level
Housing index
Utah
107.8
Iowa
65.3
Iowa has 39% lower housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
Utah
99.7
Iowa
96.9
Iowa has 2.8% lower groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
Utah
99.8
Iowa
98.2
Iowa has 1.7% lower utilities
Electricity rate
Utah
13.2 ¢/kWh
Iowa
13.4 ¢/kWh
Iowa has 1.9% higher electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
Utah
99.8
Iowa
97.6
Iowa has 2.2% lower transportation
Median home value
Utah
$545,200
Iowa
$227,300
Iowa is 58% cheaper to buy a home
Median monthly rent
Utah
$1,343/mo
Iowa
$769/mo
Iowa is 43% 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
Utah
93°F
Iowa
85°F
Iowa is 8.6% less summer highs
Avg winter low
Utah
22°F
Iowa
13°F
Iowa is 41% less winter lows
Avg annual temperature
Utah
49°F
Iowa
48°F
Iowa is 2.0% less annual temperature
Sunny days / year
Utah
222
Iowa
200
Iowa has 9.9% lower sunny days
Annual precipitation
Utah
14 in
Iowa
35 in
Iowa is 145% more annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
Utah
46
Iowa
73
Iowa has 59% higher AQI
Snow / year
Utah
52 in
Iowa
30 in
Iowa is 42% less annual snowfall

Get the full UtahIowa 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 Utah?

Iowa's overall price level is roughly 90 (US avg = 100), vs about 96.9 for Utah — 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?

Utah tops out at 4.5% 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