Best Iowa to Louisiana Movers + Moving Guide

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If you're moving from Iowa to Louisiana and need first-hand information you can trust to make this 928 mile IA to LA move go smoothly, Great Guys Moving is here to help. We've analyzed 45 Iowa to Louisiana 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 Adamantine Spine Moving), how much the move costs (approximately $1,500 - $6,000 depending on how much stuff you have), and what it will be like living in Iowa compared to Louisiana. 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 Louisiana Moving Companies

RankCompany NameRating QuestionAffordability IndexLicenseContact
1Adamantine Spine Moving9.539.4Authorized For Property, HHGContact
2Adamantine Spine Moving9.429.28Authorized For Property, HHGContact
3Best Move Inc9.239.19Authorized For PropertyContact
4Henry Hauling LLC9.209.33ActiveContact
5Hemmen Moving9.109.47Authorized For Property, HHGContact
6Two Men and a Truck8.827.92Authorized For Property, HHGContact
Phone (800) 787-5428

Cost to Move from Iowa to Louisiana

Moving a 1 bedroom apartment 928 miles from Iowa to Louisiana will cost on average $2,570 to hire full service movers. A 3 bedroom IA to LA move is roughly $6,173. 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 Louisiana 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 Louisiana movers, the better your pricing and options will be.

Home SizeMoving CostVolume of Packed Items (ft³)$/ft³
Studio$1,729300 ft³5.76
1 Bedroom$2,570450 ft³5.71
2 Bedrooms$4,246750 ft³5.66
3 Bedrooms$6,1731100 ft³5.61
4 Bedrooms$8,8991600 ft³5.56
5+ Bedrooms$9,9221800 ft³5.51
*Please note: These Iowa to Louisiana moving prices are rough approximations based upon nationwide data as well as local and statewide data from Iowa & Louisiana. 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 LA mover.
Iowa iconArrow iconLouisiana icon
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Moving in the opposite direction? Here is our moving from Louisiana to Iowa guide.

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Compare the 6 Best IA to LA Movers

These are the top recommended movers based on our unbiased & regularly updated ranking algorithm (NOT paid promotions)

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
1
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
2
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
3
Henry Hauling LLC Logo

Henry Hauling LLC

Exceptional
claimed company icon
9.20/10
based on 566+ data points

2045 N 3rd St

Baton Rouge, LA, 70802

About Henry Hauling LLC

Henry Hauling LLC is a licensed, bonded, and insured moving company based in Baton Rouge, LA. Established in 2018, it has...

Services

  • Packing/Unpacking
  • Local MovingResidential
  • Local MovingCommercial

Interstate Moving License

Circle Check
Authorized for Interstate Moves(last checked 11/17/2023)

USDOT / MC

Status

Entity Type

3593908 / -

Active

Carrier

Registered Trucks/Vans2
Registered Drivers1
Total Annual Miles Moved10 (2022)
View Full Review
4
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
5
Two Men and a Truck Logo

Two Men and a Truck

Superb8.82/10
based on 1,142+ data points

2615 Country Club Rd

Lake Charles, LA, 70605

About Two Men and a Truck

Two Men and a Truck of Lake Charles is a locally owned and operated franchisee of a nationwide company started in...

Services

  • Local moving
  • Junk removal
  • Storage

Interstate Moving License

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

USDOT / MC

Status

Entity Type

2554983 / 890877

Authorized For Property, HHG

Carrier

Registered Trucks/Vans10
Registered Drivers15
Total Annual Miles Moved207,000 (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 Louisiana

Moving from one state to another presents a unique set of challenges and opportunities. This guide aims to provide an honest reflection of the good and the bad attributes of relocating from Iowa to Louisiana. The following charts aim to honestly compare the disadvantages and advantages, painting a clear picture of what the move from Iowa to Louisiana entails.

CONs
PROs
Iowa iconIowa
  • Colder winters
  • Less diverse cuisine
  • Smaller cultural scene
  • Fewer historical sites
Louisiana iconLouisiana
  • Warmer climate
  • Rich culinary culture
  • Vibrant music scene
  • Rich history and landmarks
Louisiana iconLouisiana
  • Higher cost of living
  • More extreme weather
  • Varied education quality
  • Higher crime rates
Iowa iconIowa
  • Lower cost of living
  • Abundant outdoor activities
  • Strong education system
  • Safe, quiet neighborhoods

Moving to Louisiana introduces you to a wealth of vibrant music venues, such as the world-renowned Preservation Hall in New Orleans, where live jazz performances captivate audiences nightly. Culinary adventurers will delight in the rich flavors of Cajun and Creole cuisine at local favorites like Commander's Palace. Exploring the historic French Quarter offers a glimpse into the area’s rich past, with landmarks like the iconic St. Louis Cathedral standing as a testament to Louisiana’s diverse history. Despite higher living costs and varied educational prospects compared to Iowa, the cultural experiences, from bustling Mardi Gras festivals to quiet, moss-covered bayous, create a dynamic living environment that's hard to find elsewhere.

Iowa vs. Louisiana Food Guide

When considering a move, it's essential to understand the flavors and dining experiences that await. This is a comparison of the local cuisine between Iowa & Louisiana to help you grasp the culinary contrasts and delights of your potential new home, ensuring you're well-informed about the food scene in your new locale.

IowaLouisiana
Most iconic local food itemPork Tenderloin SandwichGumbo
Most popular meat dishIowa Chop (Pork Chop)Jambalaya
Most popular street food itemSweet CornPo'boys
Most popular vegan foodQuinoa SaladOkra Gumbo
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • The Summit Restaurant
  • Zombie Burger
  • A & A Pagoda
  • Commander's Palace
  • Emeril's New Orleans
  • Cochon
Fitness/Health Conscientiousness💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

Both Iowa and Louisiana enjoy rich, diverse culinary scenes that reflect their unique cultural heritages, but the flavors and specialties offer distinct experiences. In Iowa, the love for the pork tenderloin sandwich exemplifies the state's deep agricultural roots, often enjoyed at local eateries such as The Summit Restaurant. Moving to Louisiana, gumbo stands as a quintessential dish showcasing the state's vibrant blend of French, African, and Spanish influences, particularly celebrated in iconic establishments like Commander's Palace in New Orleans. Furthermore, Louisiana's foodie scene is renowned for its abundance and variety of food trucks, where you can sample local favorites like po'boys on the go. On the other hand, Iowa's appreciation for sweet corn as a street food staple echoes its agricultural prowess. No matter where you end up, both states offer a compelling and flavorful food scene that beckons exploration and enjoyment.

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Iowa vs. Louisiana Real Estate & Living Facts

Real estate significantly impacts your moving experience, making it crucial to understand how Iowa and Louisiana stack up in terms of housing. This comparison will cover key factors such as cost, architecture, and lifestyle amenities, offering a detailed look at what to expect in each state.

ComparisonIowaLouisiana
Typical Architecture StyleColonial RevivalCreole and Colonial
Walkability 👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟
Bikeability 🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban Lifestyle 🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingSpacious Yards, BasementsOutdoor Living Spaces, Near Water

When comparing Iowa and Louisiana, there are notable differences that could impact your decision. In Iowa, the median home price tends to be slightly lower than in Louisiana, which might appeal to budget-conscious movers. The architecture in Iowa leans more towards Colonial Revival, offering a different aesthetic from Louisiana's distinct Creole and Colonial styles, which often include vibrant colors and historic details. For those valuing outdoor activities and an urban lifestyle, Louisiana generally rates higher in terms of walkability and bikeability, reflecting its more compact cities and vibrant street life. Furthermore, with Louisiana's emphasis on outdoor living spaces and proximity to water in real estate listings, it's an enticing option for those who dream of a life that blends modern convenience with natural beauty.

Iowa vs. Louisiana Weather Considerations

When relocating, it's vital to grasp how the climate in your new home compares to what you're accustomed to. This comparison between Iowa and Louisiana aims to highlight how the weather varies, ensuring you're well-prepared for the change.

Summer icon
82°F/63°F

Iowa

91°F/73°F

Louisiana

Average Summer High/Low (°F)

Winter icon
31°F/14°F

Iowa

62°F/42°F

Louisiana

Average Winter High/Low (°F)

Rainfall icon
36"

Iowa

60"

Louisiana

Annual Rainfall (Inches)

Snowfall icon
33"

Iowa

<1"

Louisiana

Annual Snowfall (Inches)

ComparisonIowaLouisiana
Air QualityGoodVariable
Natural DisastersTornadoes, severe stormsHurricanes, floods
Days of Sunshine per Year☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️
Avg. UV Index🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️
Avg. Annual Humidity💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦

When moving from Iowa to Louisiana, you’ll notice significant changes in both temperature and humidity. Louisiana's summers are notably hotter and winters much milder compared to Iowa, requiring adjustments in clothing and potentially your comfort levels. The increased number of sunny days and higher UV index in Louisiana means it's important to prepare for more potent sun exposure. Additionally, Louisiana's higher average humidity and greater rainfall can influence outdoor activities and may affect individuals with certain health conditions. Awareness of these changes will help ease your transition and enhance your adaptation to Louisiana's vibrant environment.

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

When relocating from one place to another, grasping the financial landscape is crucial. Understanding how cost of living, taxes, and income levels in Iowa compare to Louisiana can help you prepare for the economic shift. It's not just about matching scenery but aligning your budget to your new surroundings.

ComparisonIowaLouisiana
Avg. Household Income$69,588$55,416
Cost of Living Index95.996
State Income Tax0.33 - 8.532 - 6
Avg. Property Tax1.530.52
Avg. Sales Tax6.829.52
Top 3 IndustriesManufacturing, Agriculture, Financial ServicesPetrochemicals, Tourism, Agriculture
AffluenceModerateModerately low
PovertyLowerHigher
HomelessnessLowMedium

When moving from Iowa to Louisiana, you’ll notice differences in economic factors that directly affect daily life. Despite a lower average household income in Louisiana, the cost of living is only slightly higher than Iowa. Louisiana's significantly lower property tax rate may be appealing, but it also has a higher sales tax. The dominant industries hint at job opportunities: while both states value agriculture, Iowa leans towards manufacturing and financial services, whereas Louisiana's economy is bolstered by petrochemicals and tourism. Understanding these differences will help you adjust your budget and expectations in your new home.

Iowa vs. Louisiana Political & Religious Comparison

In your journey from Iowa to Louisiana, understanding the community's backbone is essential. This quick comparison between the politics of Iowa & Louisiana provides an at-a-glance snapshot, showcasing the political and religious makeup of your current and future neighbors.

IowaLouisiana
Political Make-upModerately swing state, leans RepublicanStrongly Republican, especially in rural areas
Local PoliticsCivic engagement and community initiatives activeDiverse political views with a focus on local governance
ReligionMainly Protestant with a significant Catholic minorityPrimarily Catholic, reflective of its French and Spanish heritage

Transitioning from Iowa, where the political landscape can swing between parties, to Louisiana's predominantly Republican territory, might seem daunting at first. You'll notice that despite Louisiana's strong Republican roots, there is a varied political fabric influenced by the state's rich history and diverse culture. The religious scene also shifts, with Louisiana's population being primarily Catholic, a stark difference from Iowa's predominantly Protestant faith community. This diversity in beliefs and practices amongst your new neighbors in Louisiana is reflective of their unique cultural heritage, offering a rich tapestry of community and spirituality.

Education Guide When Moving from Iowa to Louisiana

Moving from one state to another can bring significant changes to your family's education environment. To assist in your transition, we've prepared a comparison to better understand what the comparisons are between school options in Iowa and Louisiana . This will offer insight into various educational institutions from elementary to high school levels, including both public and private offerings.

IowaLouisiana

Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)

University of Iowa
Iowa State University
University of Northern Iowa
Louisiana State University
Tulane University
University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Top 3 Elementary Schools

Wickham Elementary (Coralville)
Roosevelt Elementary (Ames)
Hoover Elementary (Iowa City)
Lusher Charter School (New Orleans)
South Highlands Elementary Magnet (Shreveport)
Baton Rouge Foreign Language Academic Immersion Magnet (Baton Rouge)

Top 3 Middle Schools

Ames Middle School (Ames)
Northwest Junior High (Coralville)
North Central Junior High (North Liberty)
Caddo Middle Magnet (Shreveport)
Lusher Charter School (New Orleans)
Youngsville Middle School (Youngsville)

Top 3 High Schools

West High School (Iowa City)
Ames High School (Ames)
Decorah High School (Decorah)
Benjamin Franklin High School (New Orleans)
Haynes Academy for Advanced Studies (Metairie)
Patrick F. Taylor Science & Technology Academy (Jefferson)

Top 3 private high schools

Phillips Academy (Exeter)
The Thacher School (Ojai)
St. Paul's School (Concord)
Louisiana School for Math
Science
and the Arts (Natchitoches)
Episcopal High School (Baton Rouge)
Isidore Newman School (New Orleans)

Top 3 private K-12 schools

Maharishi School (Fairfield)
Scattergood Friends School (West Branch)
Rivermont Collegiate (Bettendorf)
Mt. Carmel Academy (New Orleans)
St. Martin's Episcopal School (Metairie)
The Dunham School (Baton Rouge)

Top 3 School Districts

Iowa City Community School District
Ames Community School District
Des Moines Public Schools
Zachary Community School District
Central Community School System
Orleans Parish School Board

Both Iowa and Louisiana offer a rich variety of educational environments, whether you're looking for public or private schooling for your children. Iowa stands out for its highly rated public schools, such as Wickham Elementary in Coralville and West High School in Iowa City, both known for their strong academic programs. Louisiana, on the other hand, is home to unique specialized schools like the Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts in Natchitoches, catering to students with specific talents. Furthermore, Louisiana's rich cultural backdrop provides a unique environment for schools like Lusher Charter School in New Orleans, which incorporates arts into its curriculum. Comparing school districts, both states offer strong options with Iowa City Community School District and Zachary Community School District leading in their respective states, known for their commitment to providing quality education and resources to students.

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