Are You Moving To Iowa?
Iowa, a Midwestern U.S. state, sits between the Missouri and Mississippi rivers. It’s known for its landscape of rolling plains and cornfields. Landmarks in the capital, Des Moines, include the gold-domed, 19th-century State Capitol Building, Pappajohn Sculpture Park, and the Des Moines Art Center, noted for its contemporary collections. The city of Cedar Rapids’ Museum of Art has paintings by native Iowan Grant Wood.
Des Moines is the capital city of Iowa. The gold-domed Iowa State Capitol building is among the 19th- and early-20th-century landmarks of the East Village area. The Des Moines Art Center is noted for its contemporary collections and Pappajohn Sculpture Park. Local produce and live music are draws at the Downtown Farmers’ Market. The Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden has outdoor plant displays and a geodesic dome.
Before moving to Iowa City, Iowa, there are a few things you should know about Iowa City first! Many consider it one of the best places to live in Iowa, while others find our housing costs to be a bit high compared to the rest of the state. But you know how it goes…you pay for prime location, entertainment, jobs education, and opportunity.
If you’re moving to Iowa, there are a lot of things you’re going to need to know. Luckily, you’ve come to the right place.
Moving to Iowa
Pros and Cons of Living in Iowa
Here are a few pros and cons to consider as you make your move to The Hawkeye State:
Pros.
1. Iowa offers a lower cost of living than most other states.
If you start living in Iowa, then you’ll find that the cost of living throughout the state is about 10% lower than what you’ll find across the United States.
2. You can afford to buy a house when living in Iowa.
The average listing price for a single-family home in Iowa is well under $200,000 per property in most communities.
3. The educational system in Iowa is one of the best in the country.
The literacy rate in Iowa stands at 99%. That makes it the highest in the United States.
4. The crime rate in Iowa is surprisingly low.
Although you will encounter problems with drug use and distribution in Iowa (especially meth), the overall crime rate is one of the lowest in the United States.
Cons.
1.If you’re a beach or mountain person, you’ll find yourself disappointed.
If you love being in the mountains, then Iowa is going to leave you feeling disappointed.
2. Winters get really cold in Iowa some years.
If you talk to a native Iowan, they’ll tell you that the threat of a mosquito disappears in winter because nothing can withstand the cold that happens some years.
3.The culinary scene in Iowa is best described as “rustic.”
Outside of a few ethnic places in Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, and Des Moines, you’re going to find your food options in Iowa are closer to what you’d find at a diner.
4.Iowans take their politics seriously.
The Iowa Caucuses are held all over the state every four years.
Tax Rates
- Property Tax: 1.53%. The effective real-estate tax rate is #38 lowest in the US.
- Sales Tax: Iowa’s base state sales tax rate: 6%. Combined with local taxes: 6–8%.
- Income Tax: 0.36–8.98%. The state currently has nine marginal tax brackets.
Housing Market
The typical home value of homes in Iowa is $162,985. This value is seasonally adjusted and only includes the middle price tier of homes. Iowa home values have gone up 5.8% over the past year.
What Should I Know In 2021?
Economy Outlook
Iowa is known throughout the world as America’s heartland, the source of an abundant supply of top quality agricultural and manufactured goods. The natural wealth of Iowa’s soil, our cutting edge technology, world-class educational system, and quality workforce has allowed Iowa to yield a diversified economy.
Iowa has developed a robust mix of industries from its strong agriculture foundation. Why? Well, Iowa understands its strengths, with focused strategies in place to spur industry growth and job creation.
The US average is 3.7%. Iowa has seen the job market increase by 0.9% over the last year. Future job growth over the next ten years is predicted to be 26.8%, which is lower than the US average of 33.5%. – The Sales Tax Rate for Iowa is 6.8%.
Top industries in Iowa are healthcare and social services (15.7 percent); wholesale and retail trade (14.5 percent); manufacturing (13.1 percent); and education (12.9 percent).
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Traffic & Transportation
Iowa Taxis and Car Rental
Iowa is well situated for drivers coming to the state by road. Interstate 35 runs north to south right through the center of the state, while Interstate 80 passes from east to west. From these two major highways, it’s easy to reach any town in Iowa, making driving a good option for travelers who want to see more of the state and have the flexibility to reach out-of-city attractions like the Amana Colonies.
Iowa Trains and Buses
The bus is the most common form of long-distance transportation to reach Iowa and move around the state between cities. Besides the pervasive Greyhound bus, travelers can also choose Burlington Trailways, Jefferson Lines, or the Megabus (connecting Des Moines, Iowa City, and Chicago).
Cost of living
In comparison to other states in the U.S., Iowa is considered one of the most reasonably priced places to reside. Iowa ranked the ninth cheapest state to live in.
Living in Iowa gives you more bang for your buck. the adjusted value of $100 in Iowa is $111.73 vs $85.32 in Hawaii! Mortgage payments in Iowa are among the lowest in the nation, averaging out to about $900 a month.
Homeowners insurance protects you from disasters like theft, fire, natural disasters, personal injury, and more. Insurance premiums vary depending on where you live, the age of your home, the size of your home, and the type of home you own. On average, Iowans are met with a monthly insurance payment of about $61 or a yearly fee of $734.
Utilities for a home generally include water, electricity, gas and garbage service. For a family of four in Iowa, the water bill can range between $45 and $60 each month. The average electric bill for homeowners in Iowa is approximately $90 each month, and gas bills average around $60 per month. Waste removal services can range between $10 and $20 per month, depending on availability and location.
A family of four can anticipate spending around $650 each month on groceries. Cable and internet have become a staple in many homes throughout U.S. Iowans can expect to anywhere from $40 to $139 for cable and internet, depending on their location and available providers. A middle-of-the-road plan averages $70 per month.
Moving to Iowa
Things to Know When Moving To Iowa
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