Best Iowa to Arizona Movers + Moving Guide

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If you're moving from Iowa to Arizona and need first-hand information you can trust to make this 1,352 mile IA to AZ move go smoothly, Great Guys Moving is here to help. We've analyzed 90 Iowa to Arizona moving companies and more than 15,000 movers nationwide to provide up-to-date and data-driven information about: which moving company to hire (our top recommendation is Sterling Interstate LLC), how much the move costs (approximately $2,000 - $7,000 depending on how much stuff you have), and what it will be like living in Iowa compared to Arizona. With a move this big, you want big data on your side and Great Guys Moving is your trusted ally to help you sift through the noise to make informed moving decisions.

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Best Iowa to Arizona Moving Companies

RankCompany NameRating QuestionAffordability IndexLicenseContact
1Sterling Interstate LLC9.759.64Authorized For HHGContact
2Adamantine Spine Moving9.539.4Authorized For Property, HHGContact
3Adamantine Spine Moving9.429.28Authorized For Property, HHGContact
4New Beginnings Moving Solutions9.329.4Authorized For PropertyContact
5Best Move Inc9.239.19Authorized For PropertyContact
6Hemmen Moving9.109.47Authorized For Property, HHGContact
Phone (800) 787-5428

Cost to Move from Iowa to Arizona

Moving a 1 bedroom apartment 1,352 miles from Iowa to Arizona will cost on average $2,931 to hire full service movers. A 3 bedroom IA to AZ move is roughly $7,055. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by type of move and home size. Pricing will vary based upon the exact locations of pickup in Iowa and dropoff in Arizona as well as several other factors. The most important pricing component that is often overlooked is how far away the move date is. The earlier you can reserve Iowa to Arizona movers, the better your pricing and options will be.

Home SizeMoving CostVolume of Packed Items (ft³)$/ft³
Studio$1,969300 ft³6.56
1 Bedroom$2,931450 ft³6.51
2 Bedrooms$4,847750 ft³6.46
3 Bedrooms$7,0551100 ft³6.41
4 Bedrooms$10,1811600 ft³6.36
5+ Bedrooms$11,3641800 ft³6.31
*Please note: These Iowa to Arizona moving prices are rough approximations based upon nationwide data as well as local and statewide data from Iowa & Arizona. The volume listed here represents the estimated cubic footage of your household items when packed and loaded into a moving truck. To determine the exact costs associated with your move, get a quote from a licensed IA to AZ mover.
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Sterling Interstate LLC Logo

Sterling Interstate LLC

Exceptional
claimed company icon
9.75/10
based on 2,279+ data points

Phoenix, AZ, 85022

About Sterling Interstate LLC

Established in 2017, Sterling Interstate opened with the intention to change the stigma around the moving industry by providing reliable, customizable...

Services

  • Local moving services
  • Long-distance moving services
  • Packing services

Interstate Moving License

Circle Check
Authorized for Interstate Moves(last checked 1/9/2025)

USDOT / MC

Status

Entity Type

3006713 / 26956

Authorized For HHG

Carrier

Registered Trucks/Vans6
Registered Drivers7
Total Annual Miles Moved115,000 (2022)
View Full Review
1
Adamantine Spine Moving Logo

Adamantine Spine Moving

Exceptional9.53/10
based on 956+ data points

2815 36th St

Des Moines, IA, 50310

About Adamantine Spine Moving

With multiple locations in Iowa, Adamantine Spine Moving has excellent coverage of the entire state with its reliable and convenient moving...

Services

  • Local Moving
  • Long Distance Moving
  • Apartment/Condo Moving

Interstate Moving License

Circle Check
Authorized for Interstate Moves(last checked 1/10/2025)

USDOT / MC

Status

Entity Type

1471037 / 556716

Authorized For Property, HHG

Carrier

Registered Trucks/Vans37
Registered Drivers40
Total Annual Miles Moved393,823 (2022)
View Full Review
2
Adamantine Spine Moving Logo

Adamantine Spine Moving

Exceptional9.42/10
based on 1,268+ data points

656 S Governor St

Iowa City, IA, 52240

About Adamantine Spine Moving

Adamantine Spine Moving is an accomplished entity amongst the professional movers in Cedar Rapids, IA. This company can conveniently transport your...

Services

  • Local Moving
  • Long Distance Moving
  • Apartment/Condo Moving

Interstate Moving License

Circle Check
Authorized for Interstate Moves(last checked 1/10/2025)

USDOT / MC

Status

Entity Type

1471037 / 556716

Authorized For Property, HHG

Carrier

Registered Trucks/Vans37
Registered Drivers40
Total Annual Miles Moved393,823 (2022)
View Full Review
3
New Beginnings Moving Solutions Logo

New Beginnings Moving Solutions

Exceptional9.32/10
based on 991+ data points

6757 W Charter Oak Rd

Peoria, AZ, 85381

About New Beginnings Moving Solutions

New Beginnings Moving Solutions is a full-service moving company specializing in long-distance moves. It is locally-owned and operated and has been...

Services

  • Long Distance Moves
  • Local Moves
  • Business Relocation

Interstate Moving License

Circle Check
Authorized for Interstate Moves(last checked 9/27/2022)

USDOT / MC

Status

Entity Type

3656946 / 1262843

Authorized For Property

Carrier

Registered Trucks/Vans1
Registered Drivers8
Total Annual Miles Moved500 (2021)
View Full Review
4
Best Move Inc Logo

Best Move Inc

Exceptional9.23/10
based on 520+ data points

Burlington, IA, 52601

About Best Move Inc

Best Move, Inc. prides itself on being one of the most preferred and recommended moving companies in Fort Madison, IA. Its...

Services

  • Material Packing
  • Local Moving
  • Long-Distance Moving

Interstate Moving License

Circle Check
Authorized for Interstate Moves(last checked 12/18/2024)

USDOT / MC

Status

Entity Type

749231 / 376435

Authorized For Property

Carrier

Registered Trucks/Vans2
Registered Drivers2
Total Annual Miles Moved20,976 (2022)
View Full Review
5
Hemmen Moving Logo

Hemmen Moving

Exceptional9.10/10
based on 621+ data points

1293 W Ave

Ames, IA, 50014

About Hemmen Moving

For over 25 years, Hemmen Moving has served the Ames area with full-service moving solutions. It provides services for residential and...

Services

  • Local moving
  • Long distance moving
  • Small moving

Interstate Moving License

Circle Check
Authorized for Interstate Moves(last checked 1/10/2025)

USDOT / MC

Status

Entity Type

608245 / 292343

Authorized For Property, HHG

Carrier

Registered Trucks/Vans6
Registered Drivers6
Total Annual Miles Moved604,536 (2023)
View Full Review
6
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Dependable Rankings You Can Count On!

Our rankings are data-driven — movers cannot purchase a spot on our list. Here's why you can have confidence in our recommendations:

  • No Paid Placements: Every company earns its spot through merit, not payment.
  • Extensive Analysis: Evaluated over 24,000 movers across the country for our rankings.

Pros and Cons of Moving from Iowa to Arizona

Moving from one state to another is a big decision filled with exciting opportunities and inevitable challenges. This comparison aims to provide an honest reflection of moving from Iowa to Arizona , highlighting both the ups and downs of such a relocation. Understanding the differences in climate, culture, and lifestyle can help you make an informed decision.

CONs
PROs
Iowa iconIowa
  • Cold winters
  • Less diverse geography
  • Smaller population
  • Less entertainment options
Arizona iconArizona
  • Warmer climate
  • Varied landscapes
  • Greater urban opportunities
  • More cultural sites
Arizona iconArizona
  • Less community feel
  • Higher living expenses
  • Less vegetation
  • Less distinct seasons
Iowa iconIowa
  • Close-knit communities
  • Lower cost of living
  • Abundant green spaces
  • Seasonal changes

Understanding the differences between Iowa and Arizona can help ease the transition. For instance, Arizona offers a broad array of landscapes from the Grand Canyon to the Sonoran Desert, attracting outdoor enthusiasts. Cities like Phoenix and Tucson boast vibrant culinary scenes, with restaurants such as Bacanora and El Charro Café serving up innovative dishes that showcase the local flavors. Moreover, Arizona's larger population brings diverse cultural festivals and a wide range of entertainment options from live music at The Van Buren to art exhibitions at the Phoenix Art Museum. However, while Iowa may have less variety in landscapes and fewer big cities, its abundant parks like the Pappajohn Sculpture Park and strong community ties in towns such as Cedar Rapids provide a different, but equally valuable, sense of belonging.

Iowa vs. Arizona Food Guide

This comparison of the local cuisine between Iowa & Arizona highlights the culinary distinctions of each state. Understanding these differences can enrich your relocation experience, offering a taste of what each locale uniquely brings to the table.

IowaArizona
Most iconic local food itemPork Tenderloin SandwichSonoran Hot Dog
Most popular meat dishGrilled Pork ChopsCarne Asada
Most popular street food itemSweet CornTacos
Most popular vegan foodQuinoa SaladVegan Burrito
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Pizzicletta
  • Elote Cafe
  • Bacanora
Fitness/Health Conscientiousness💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

In Iowa, the pork tenderloin sandwich exemplifies local comfort food, often found at iconic spots like Jethro's BBQ. Conversely, Arizona's Sonoran Dog, a unique twist on the hot dog, is a must-try, with places like El Guero Canelo in Tucson championing this regional specialty. Arizona's increasing health conscientiousness and vegan-friendly options, such as the innovative dishes at Green New American Vegetarian, contrast with Iowa's hearty traditional cuisine, reflecting the diverse foodie landscapes that await you.

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Iowa vs. Arizona Real Estate & Living Facts

When planning a move, comparing the real estate landscape between your current location and your future home is crucial. This comparison between Iowa and Arizona sheds light on key housing aspects to guide your decision. Understanding differences in cost, architectural styles, walkability, and other factors can significantly impact your choice of residence.

ComparisonIowaArizona
Typical Architecture StylePrairie and RanchSpanish Colonial and Pueblo
Walkability 👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟
Bikeability 🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban Lifestyle 🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingLarge yards, quiet neighborhoodsPools, desert landscaping

Moving from Iowa to Arizona, you'll notice a significant difference in the housing market. Arizona's median home price and rent are considerably higher, reflecting its demand and urban lifestyle score. The popular mention of pools and desert landscaping in Arizona listings highlights a different way of life, focusing on outdoor living and unique flora. Architecture in Arizona often embraces its historical and environmental roots with Spanish Colonial and Pueblo styles, offering a distinct visual and cultural departure from Iowa's Prairie and Ranch-style homes. This contrast extends to the outdoor lifestyle, with Arizona boasting higher walkability and bikeability scores, indicative of its cities' planning and community spaces.

Iowa vs. Arizona Weather Considerations

When planning a move from Iowa to Arizona, understanding how the weather will differ is crucial. This comparison aims to highlight weather differences between Iowa and Arizona to prepare you for the shift in climate. From seasonal temperatures to natural disasters, knowing what to expect can significantly impact your adjustment process.

Summer icon
85°F / 63°F

Iowa

105°F / 81°F

Arizona

Average Summer High/Low (°F)

Winter icon
31°F / 14°F

Iowa

68°F / 46°F

Arizona

Average Winter High/Low (°F)

Rainfall icon
34"

Iowa

13"

Arizona

Annual Rainfall (Inches)

Snowfall icon
36"

Iowa

0.3"

Arizona

Annual Snowfall (Inches)

ComparisonIowaArizona
Air QualityGoodVaries (Moderate to Poor in urban areas)
Natural DisastersTornadoes, FloodsWildfires, Flash Floods
Days of Sunshine per Year☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️
Avg. UV Index🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️
Avg. Annual Humidity💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦

Relocating from Iowa's humid continental climate to Arizona's arid desert conditions presents a dramatic shift, especially in summer temperatures and humidity levels. In Arizona, you'll enjoy significantly more sunshine days but need to prepare for much higher summer temperatures, which often soar above 100°F. Contrastingly, Arizona's winters are milder, offering a comfortable respite from Iowa's often harsh, snowy winters. Air quality and natural disaster risks also shift, with Arizona facing challenges from wildfires and flash floods, while Iowa grapples with tornadoes and seasonal flooding. Understanding these differences will facilitate a smoother transition to your new home.

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Money, Economy, and Job Market Considerations for Moving from Iowa to Arizona

When contemplating a move from one state to another, it's crucial to grasp the financial landscape you're stepping into. This comparison aims to highlight the differences in money and finance between Iowa and Arizona , offering a clear perspective on what to expect in terms of living expenses, taxes, and economic environment.

ComparisonIowaArizona
Avg. Household Income$69,588$74,568
Cost of Living Index95.9101.2
State Income Tax0.33 - 8.532.59 - 4.50
Avg. Property Tax1.530.72
Avg. Sales Tax68.4
Top 3 IndustriesManufacturing, Agriculture, Financial ServicesManufacturing, Tourism, Technology
AffluenceModerateModerate
PovertyLowHigh
HomelessnessLowHigh

When moving from Iowa to Arizona, you'll find a nuanced financial landscape with both similarities and significant differences. Though household income is slightly higher in Arizona, the cost of living and sales tax are also higher, which could balance out the perceived income advantage. The stark contrast in state income and property taxes between the states reflects the broader fiscal policies each state adopts. For instance, Arizona's lower property tax rate might be appealing for homeowners, whereas Iowa’s progressive income tax system could be beneficial depending on your earnings. The diverse leading industries between the two states suggest varied job markets, with Arizona’s burgeoning technology sector offering different possibilities compared to Iowa’s strong manufacturing and agriculture base. Understanding these aspects thoroughly can help you make a well-informed decision and financially prepare for your move.

Iowa vs. Arizona Political & Religious Comparison

When considering a move from Iowa to Arizona, it’s useful to grasp a quick, at-a-glance snapshot of the political and religious makeup of the residents. This comparison will focus on the politics between Iowa & Arizona, providing a brief overview of local politics and religious affiliations that shape the cultural and social landscape of each state.

IowaArizona
Political Make-upLean varies, swing stateLikely leans conservative, historically swing state
Local PoliticsGrassroots movements, community drivenDiverse political landscapes, growing urban influence
ReligionPredominantly Christian, Protestant majorityChristian plurality, significant non-religious population

Despite both states having dynamic and sometimes fluctuating political landscapes, Iowa's political scene often hinges on grassroots movements and a community-driven approach due to its pivotal role in national elections. In contrast, Arizona's political dynamics are shaped by its diverse population and growing urban centers, making its local politics an amalgam of various influences. The religious makeup in both states is majorly Christian, but Arizona sports a more significant portion of non-religious residents compared to Iowa. This diversity in belief and ideology contributes to the unique social and political fabric of each state, providing new residents with a varied cultural experience.

Education Guide When Moving from Iowa to Arizona

Moving from Iowa to Arizona presents an array of new opportunities, especially when it comes to education. To help you navigate these changes, we've compared educational institutions across both states to better understand what the comparisons are between school options in Iowa and Arizona . This guide aims to ease the decision-making process for families considering the move.

IowaArizona

Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)

University of Iowa
Iowa State University
University of Northern Iowa
Arizona State University
University of Arizona
Northern Arizona University

Top 3 Elementary Schools

Wickham Elementary (Coralville)
Jackson Elementary (Cedar Rapids)
Brookview Elementary (West Des Moines)
Knox Gifted Academy (Chandler)
BASIS Scottsdale Primary (Scottsdale)
Archway Classical Academy (Phoenix)

Top 3 Middle Schools

North Central Junior High (Iowa City)
Harding Middle School (Cedar Rapids)
Omaha Brownell Talbot (Omaha)<
BASIS Chandler (Chandler)
BASIS Scottsdale (Scottsdale)
Preparatory Academy (Phoenix)

Top 3 High Schools

West High School (Iowa City)
Ames High School (Ames)
Decorah High School (Decorah)
Chandler Preparatory Academy (Chandler)
BASIS Scottsdale (Scottsdale)
University High School (Tucson)

Top 3 private high schools

Scattergood Friends School (West Branch)
Maharishi School (Fairfield)
Dowling Catholic High School (West Des Moines)
Brophy College Preparatory (Phoenix)
Salpointe Catholic High School (Tucson)
Xavier College Preparatory (Phoenix)

Top 3 private K-12 schools

Maharishi School (Fairfield)
Des Moines Christian School (Urbandale)
Cedar Valley Christian School (Cedar Rapids)
BASIS Phoenix (Phoenix)
Rancho Solano Preparatory School (Scottsdale)
The Gregory School (Tucson)

Top 3 School Districts

West Des Moines Community School District
Iowa City Community School District
Cedar Rapids Community School District
Chandler Unified District
Scottsdale Unified School District
Paradise Valley Unified School District

When comparing the educational landscape of Iowa and Arizona, several interesting details emerge. For example, Arizona's BASIS Scottsdale and Chandler Preparatory Academy rank highly in both middle and high schools, indicating a strong emphasis on academic excellence and preparation for higher education. Iowa's focus on quality education is evident as well, with cities like Iowa City and West Des Moines repeatedly housing top-tier schools across different levels. These top schools not only emphasize academic achievement but also create a supportive environment for personal growth and development. For families moving between these states, this information could significantly impact the decision on where to settle based on the educational needs and aspirations of their children.

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