There’s a lot to think about when moving to Iowa from Mississippi. From differences in the cost of living to insurance premiums along with getting over to the Iowa DMV to transfer your Mississippi driver’s license and vehicle registration, you’ll want to do some budgeting and planning before you make the move.
Relocalate.com has done the heavy lifting for you. Our expert researchers have compiled the key things you need to know when moving to Iowa from Mississippi. Find out what you can expect to pay in federal and Iowa state taxes, whether you’ll be spending more or less in key cost of living categories, and how long you’ll have to get a new driver’s license and car registration. Plus, you can even get a head start on saving the most money when you move by comparing free quotes for health coverage, car insurance, home/renters insurance, and more.
License & Registration
Transfer your Mississippi driver’s license to Iowa upon establishing residency.
Transfer your vehicles & get Iowa license plates upon establishing residency.
On this page, you’ll be able to:
- See how the cost of living compares for Iowa and Mississippi.
- Estimate how much more or less you can expect to pay in state and federal income taxes after you move to Iowa.
- Find out what to expect when it comes to Iowa property taxes, buying a home, and home insurance premiums.
- Learn whether you’ll be able to save some money or have to spend a little more in key cost of living categories including groceries, transportation, housing, and healthcare.
- Find out what you’ll need to do with the Iowa DMV to transfer your Mississippi driver’s license and vehicle registration. (And how long you’ll have to do it.)
- Estimate how much it will cost to move from Mississippi to Iowa.
- BONUS: Start saving money today by comparing free quotes for all your new insurance policies in Iowa.
Moving to Iowa from Mississippi Checklist
- 1. Estimate the cost of the move.
- 2. Update your insurance policies.
- 3. Be prepared to transfer your Mississippi license & registration to Iowa.
- 4. Budget and prepare for cost of living changes.
- 5. Change your address and forward your mail through USPS.
- 6. Register to vote.
- 7. Update your new address with your banks, loans, and other accounts.
- 8. Set up your utilities and services at your new home.
Find some more tips and to-dos for Moving to Iowa here.
Cost of Moving from Mississippi to Iowa
Unfortunately moving can be expensive. Moving to a brand new state usually comes with some extra costs.
Use this moving cost calculator to get a rough idea of how much your move from Mississippi to Iowa will cost.
The rough distance between Iowa and Mississippi is 678 miles. We’ll use that for our calculations. Select the size of your home that you’ll be moving to get an idea of the costs.
Moving Cost Calculator: Mississippi to Iowa
Remember, this is just a rough estimate. The cost of your move will vary depending on the company you choose, your belongings, and other circumstances.
Update Your Insurance Policies for Coverage in Iowa
Don’t wait! Update your car insurance coverage for Iowa
When you move to Iowa, you’ll want to make sure that you’ll be covered for all of life’s unexpected situations. That means updating your insurance policies with your new address and the minimum requirements for Iowa.
Iowa Car Insurance
One of the first policies you’ll want to update when you move is going to be your car insurance coverage.
In Iowa, the minimum liability coverage is $20,000 bodily injury liability per person, $40,000 bodily injury liability per accident, $15,000 property damage liability per accident.
Average Cost of Minimum Coverage
$223
On average, the annual premium for a minimum liability coverage policy is lower in Iowa. You’ll likely pay less for car insurance in Iowa than you did in Mississippi.
Average Cost of Full Coverage
$1,315
On average, the annual premium for a full coverage auto insurance policy is lower in Iowa. You’ll likely pay less for full coverage in Iowa than you did in Mississippi.
Do you own a motorcycle?
Iowa Home & Renter’s Insurance
Whether you’ll rent or own your new home, you’ll want to make sure you have the right coverage when you arrive.
Let’s face it, accidents happen during a move. Make sure you have the coverage you need to protect your belongings and your house.
Average Cost of Homeowner’s Insurance
$1,318
You can usually expect that the annual premium for home insurance will be lower in Iowa. You’ll likely pay less for your home insurance policy in Iowa than you did in Mississippi.
Will you own or rent your home?
Iowa Health Insurance
You’ll also need to make sure that you and your family have health coverage once you arrive in Iowa.
If you’ll be keeping your job when you move, be sure to ask your employer about any implications for your current health insurance policy.
You’ll need to find out which hospitals and plans are available near your new home. Spend some time researching providers in your area.
Healthcare Costs in Iowa
Higher
Generally, healthcare costs are higher in Iowa. You’ll likely pay more for healthcare in Iowa than you did in Mississippi.
Will you be keeping health insurance with your current employer?
Find Health Coverage ➜
Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Tasks when Moving to Iowa from Mississippi
Transfer your Mississippi Driver’s License
upon establishing residency.
After you’ve moved to Iowa, you’ll need to get a valid driver’s license.
Transfer your Mississippi Car Registration
upon establishing residency.
You’ll also need to transfer your vehicle registration and get Iowa license plates.
When you become a resident of Iowa, you’ll need to transfer your Mississippi driver’s license and vehicle registration.
You’ll also need to update your car insurance policies so that they meet the minimum requirements for Iowa. Sometimes this can come with a rate hike, so it’s always a smart idea to shop around.
The minimum liability coverage you’ll need in Iowa is $20,000 bodily injury liability per person, $40,000 bodily injury liability per accident, $15,000 property damage liability per accident.
You can start comparing car insurance quotes for Iowa for free right here on Relocalate.com.
Transfer Your Mississippi Driver’s License to Iowa
Minimum Age for a Iowa Driver’s License
17 years old
A standard Iowa driver’s license is available to residents who are at least 17 years old.
Iowa Driver’s License Expires
every 2-8 years
You’ll need to renew your driver’s license every 2-8 years.
Iowa Driver’s License Cost
$32.00
A driver’s license will cost around $32.00.
One of the first things you’ll want to do after becoming a resident of Iowa is to get a driver’s license.
In fact, new residents should apply for their Iowa driver’s license upon establishing residency.
In Iowa, driver’s licenses are issued by the MVD.
To apply, you’ll need to:
- Complete the Iowa Driver’s License Application.
- Surrender your Mississippi driver’s license.
- Present the necessary proof of identity and residency with your new Iowa address.
- Pass any required testing.
- Take a photo.
- Pay the driver’s license fee.
After applying and passing any necessary tests, you’ll receive a temporary paper license. The Iowa MVD will mail you your new license, and it should arrive within a few weeks.
For official information and for details about scheduling appointments, visit https://iowadot.gov/mvd.
Iowa Driver’s License Knowledge Exam
Total Questions on the Iowa Driver’s License Test
35 total questions
The Iowa knowledge exam will typically consist of 35 total questions that are based on the driver’s handbook.
Passing Score
80%
You’ll need to score 80% to pass the test.
When you transfer your Mississippi license to Iowa, you should be prepared to pass the driver’s license written exam.
While not every applicant will be required to take the test, it is still a good idea to brush up on traffic laws in Iowa.
Before you visit the MVD, take some time to study the official driver’s handbook for Iowa. While many traffic laws and safety rules are universal from state to state, there are some specifics that may be a little different.
Assuming your Mississippi driver’s license is valid and unexpired, you should not need to take the Iowa driving test.
Is your Mississippi driver’s license valid?
One potential hang up to be aware of is around the validity of your Mississippi driver’s license.
To make things as easy as possible, your Mississippi license should be valid when you apply for a license in Iowa.
Ideally what this means is that you should clear any issues with the Mississippi DMV BEFORE you move.
For example:
- If your Mississippi driver’s license is lost or damaged, you should replace it before moving.
- If your Mississippi driver’s license is suspended or revoked, you should try to reinstate it before you move.
If your Mississippi driver’s license is expired when you go to apply for your Iowa license, it’s possible that the MVD will treat it like a brand new application, which may require a written exam and a road test, plus any other requirements for new drivers.
The bottom line: Try to take care of any issues with your Mississippi driver’s license BEFORE you move and visit the Iowa DMV.
Transfer Your Car Registration from Mississippi to Iowa
If you’re going to bring your car with you when you move, you’ll also need to transfer your Mississippi registration to Iowa.
Vehicle registration and titles are handled by the Iowa MVD.
You can find more specific details for your vehicle registration and official information at https://iowadot.gov/mvd
Iowa Registration Fee Basis
value-base
Iowa vehicle registration fees are generally calculated by value-base.
Registration Base Fee Estimate
Varies
Additional fees may vary based on vehicle type as well as any local fees and taxes.
Iowa Registration Expiration
every year
In Iowa, you’ll need to renew your registration every year.
Front License Plates
Iowa requires that vehicles display a front license plate.
Vehicle Safety Inspections
There is typically no vehicle safety inspection required in Iowa.
Smog & Emissions Testing
Emissions testing is not required for vehicles registered in Iowa.
New residents in Iowa are required to transfer their out-of-state vehicle registration upon establishing residency.
When moving to Iowa with vehicles from Mississippi, you should be prepared to:
- Complete an application for Iowa registration and title.
- Present your current registration documents from Mississippi.
- Provide any other necessary proof of ownership documents (title, lease agreement, lienholder information, etc.)
- Pass any necessary vehicle inspections required for Iowa registration.
- Have a valid Iowa insurance policy for your vehicles.
- Pay the registration fees.
Notify the Mississippi DMV
While it’s not always a requirement, it can be worthwhile to update your address with the Mississippi DMV and notify them that you have moved out of the state.
This can often be done on the DMV website, and will prevent you from receiving any renewal notices for your old driver’s license and registrations.
Taxes in Iowa vs Mississippi
Differences in taxes are a big consideration in any state to state move.
Unfortunately, it’s not all black and white. In order to get the full picture, it’s important to consider all of your potential tax burdens when moving from Mississippi to Iowa including state income tax, property taxes, and sales tax.
Plus, you’ll need to think about how the overall cost of living on key spending categories is going to compare. More on that below.
For example, if you’re a homeowner, it’ll be smart to look at both income tax differences, property tax burdens, as well as average home prices to get a more accurate idea of your tax savings or hike once you move to Iowa.
We’ll cover some key differences in your tax savings and tax hikes when moving to Iowa from Mississippi.
For simplicity’s sake, we’ll be comparing effective tax rates, which simplify the marginal tax rates and tax brackets in each state to look at the estimated average total tax you may be paying.
Note that your tax situation may be much different than the estimates provided here. Use these as a high-level comparison tool.
Federal & State Income Taxes when Moving to Iowa from Mississippi
Overall, you’ll likely be looking at an income tax hike when moving to Iowa from Mississippi.
Iowa Income Tax (effective rates)
4.25% (single) & 5.17% (joint)
Iowa has a state income tax with an effective rate of 4.25% for single filers, and 5.17% for married couples filing jointly.
Effective Rates: Federal + State Income Taxes
20.24%
On average, the effective income tax rate (state + federal) is higher in Iowa. You’ll likely pay more in income tax in Iowa than you did in Mississippi.
Tax Comparison Calculator
Effective income tax rates (Federal + State):
- Iowa: 20.24% (single), 20.94% (joint)
- Mississippi: 18.51% (single), 18.81% (joint)
In Iowa, your tax would be . In Mississippi, your tax would be .
You would pay more in than in .
When comparing your overall tax burdens between states, it can help to look at both the state and federal income tax rates.
Remember, this comparison is looking at the effective rates in order to simplify things.
Here’s a high level look at how your effective tax rates may be different after you move to Iowa from Mississippi
- State Income Tax (single filers): 4.25% in Iowa vs 3.35% in Mississippi
- State Income Tax (joint filers): 5.17% in Iowa vs 3.67% in Mississippi
- Federal + State Income Tax (single filers): 20.24% in Iowa vs 18.51% in Mississippi
- Federal + State Income Tax (joint filers): 20.94% in Iowa vs 18.81% in Mississippi
Sales Tax in Iowa vs Mississippi
Next, it’s helpful to consider the differences in sales tax.
Sales tax is a consumption tax you pay when you buy goods and services. It is typically calculated as a percentage of the final price you pay.
Note that many states have a state-wide sales tax and local governments and municipalities can charge an additional sales tax on top of that. This comparison looks at the state-wide sales tax.
Iowa Sales Tax
6%
Iowa has a state sales tax rate of 6%.
The sales tax rate is lower in Iowa. You’ll likely pay less on sales tax in Iowa than you did in Mississippi.
Property Taxes in Iowa vs Mississippi
If you’re a homeowner, or plan to buy a home in Iowa, it’s also a good idea to take a look at the difference in property taxes and home values.
Iowa Property Tax Estimate
1.57%
The property tax rate is higher in Iowa. You’ll likely pay more for property taxes in Iowa than you did in Mississippi.
Home Prices in Iowa
$147,800
On average, the average home price is higher in Iowa. You’ll likely pay more for a house in Iowa than you did in Mississippi.
This is also a good time to back sure you are getting the best deal on your Iowa homeowner’s insurance policy.
How Does the Cost of Living Compare in Iowa vs Mississippi?
Cost of living is another major difference when moving to a brand new state.
Depending on the local industries, geography, region, and population, the price of different goods and services can vary greatly.
Now, the cost of living will also depend on your own lifestyle, spending habits, and which city you move to in Iowa.
Cost of living (COL) indexes are used to compare each state to the national average of 100. The difference between COL values higher or lower than 100 represent the percentage difference from the national average.
We can compare the cost of living indexes for Iowa and Mississippi to get a high level idea of whether we’ll be saving money or have to spend a bit more on the following categories:
- Overall Cost of Living.
- Groceries.
- Housing.
- Utilities.
- Transportation.
- Healthcare.
- Miscellaneous goods and service.
Overall, the cost of living in Iowa is
-10.30% cheaper
than the national average, compared to -14.70% cheaper for Mississippi.
Iowa Cost of Living Index
89.7
National Avg: 100
On average, the cost of living is higher in Iowa. You’ll likely pay more for many things in Iowa than you did in Mississippi.
Cost of Groceries
-3.20% cheaper
than the national avg.
Typically, the cost of groceries is lower in Iowa. You’ll likely pay less for groceries in Iowa than you did in Mississippi.
Housing Costs
-27.60% cheaper
than the national avg.
Generally, the cost of housing (rent/mortgage/etc) is higher in Iowa. You’ll likely pay more for housing costs in Iowa than you did in Mississippi.
Iowa Utilities
-5.50% cheaper
than the national avg.
The cost of utilities is typically higher in Iowa. You’ll likely pay more for your monthly utility bills in Iowa than you did in Mississippi.
Transportation Costs
0.60% more expensive
than the national avg.
On average, the cost of transportation is higher in Iowa. You’ll likely pay more on transportation in Iowa than you did in Mississippi.
Healthcare in Iowa
-0.30% cheaper
than the national avg.
Generally, healthcare costs are higher in Iowa. You’ll likely pay more for healthcare in Iowa than you did in Mississippi.
Miscellaneous Costs
-4.60% cheaper
than the national avg.
The cost of miscellaneous goods and services are generally higher in Iowa. You’ll likely pay more for these things in Iowa than you did in Mississippi.
Relocalate.com Methodology
While big changes like moving to a new state can be exciting, we also know that any move can be stressful. That’s why we created Relocalate.com.
The data and comparisons on this page are designed to give you a high level look at what you can expect when moving from Mississippi to Iowa.
Our free moving tools and calculators are here to help you play around with the numbers so you can start working on a budget for your big move to Iowa.
We’ve crunched the numbers from census data, federal government resources, state and local data, as well as interviews and chats with people who’ve made the move from Mississippi to Iowa.
While there are many things we can’t control when moving to a new state, like the overall cost of living and housing prices, we’ve found that one of the single most effective ways to save money is by getting a better deal on your insurance policies.
That’s why we’ve partnered with trusted insurance providers and some of the best in Iowa to bring your free quote tools that you can access while you plan out your move.
Good luck! We wish you the best as you get settled into your home and start feeling like a Iowa local.