Possibly moving from Dallas, Area to quad cities area (Iowa) for job offer. Is cost of living higher? (Des Moines: sales)

[question-of-the-day]

First of all, from my online research homes seem much more expensive. It looks like homes are $120 per square foot on average and not very good finish out like upgraded flooring, countertops, lighting, and fixtures. In the Dallas area you can get a very nice home, with nice finish out for $85 per square foot on average. Am I missing something or is this an accurate assessment that housing is more in Iowa than Texas?

There is no state income tax in Texas, but it looks like there is in Iowa, so there is another reason it cost more to live in Iowa.

Is there sales tax in Iowa? Property tax seems lower than Texas, but not by a whole lot.

How much do utilities run? I have a 3000 square foot home in Texas and on average I pay $200-250 per month for electricty / gas (varies by season) and about $100 on average for water / trash. How does that compare to Iowa.

Those are my main questions. Hoping someone can shed light on the real estate issue. I am really dumb founded and surprised to find the Iowa cost so much more especially when you consider there is not near as much to do in Iowa as Dallas.

Is Davenport a good area to raise kids. I have a 4 and 6 year old.

Also, if anyone has first hand experience living in both places I would really like to talk with you through email to ask questions if you are open to it.

[zz4guy]

Dallas is about equivelant to Iowa for housing, utilities, necesseties. Iowa taxes are higher though so expect to pay more overall.

Are you sure you want to move here?

[MastermindDSM]

Originally Posted by question-of-the-day

First of all, from my online research homes seem much more expensive. It looks like homes are $120 per square foot on average and not very good finish out like upgraded flooring, countertops, lighting, and fixtures. In the Dallas area you can get a very nice home, with nice finish out for $85 per square foot on average. Am I missing something or is this an accurate assessment that housing is more in Iowa than Texas?

There is no state income tax in Texas, but it looks like there is in Iowa, so there is another reason it cost more to live in Iowa.

Is there sales tax in Iowa? Property tax seems lower than Texas, but not by a whole lot.

How much do utilities run? I have a 3000 square foot home in Texas and on average I pay $200-250 per month for electricty / gas (varies by season) and about $100 on average for water / trash. How does that compare to Iowa.

Those are my main questions. Hoping someone can shed light on the real estate issue. I am really dumb founded and surprised to find the Iowa cost so much more especially when you consider there is not near as much to do in Iowa as Dallas.

Is Davenport a good area to raise kids. I have a 4 and 6 year old.

Also, if anyone has first hand experience living in both places I would really like to talk with you through email to ask questions if you are open to it.

Homes are going to vary greatly depending on location. I live in Des Moines area (Johnston) and paid approximately $122 sq/ft which includes stainless steel, hardwoods, and granite. Does Texas have basements? Remember in Iowa that basements are in nearly every house which adds an additional 600-1000 sq ft of unfinished space.

I would venture to guess that your utilities are more expensive. I pay $40 a month for water in trash, but i am not sure how the Quad Cities is. I also pay approximately $90 month in the summer ($70-$80 in spring and fall) ans up to $225+ in the winter. So it will vary greatly depending on your city, insulation, appliances, and actual use. But if you averaged it out i would expect to pay $150 for utilities. And $50-$75 for water and trash.

[QuadCityImages]

Originally Posted by MastermindDSM

I would venture to guess that your utilities are more expensive. I pay $40 a month for water in trash, but i am not sure how the Quad Cities is. I also pay approximately $90 month in the summer ($70-$80 in spring and fall) ans up to $225+ in the winter. So it will vary greatly depending on your city, insulation, appliances, and actual use. But if you averaged it out i would expect to pay $150 for utilities. And $50-$75 for water and trash.

I would say that's fairly close for the QC also, depending on the size of your house, and what temperature you keep it at.

[txhawk36]

it gets cold in Iowa REALLY REALLY cold!!!!!!!

[MastermindDSM]

It gets hot in TX really really hot!!

[LeClaireRog]

I moved from The Woodlands, TX to the Quad Cities last year.

The cost per foot may be higher, but they have basements here. A lot of homes have finished out basements. When looking at MLS basement square footage is typically not included.

Our home in Texas sold for $78.00 sq ft. We paid $116.00 here and ended up with 200 less feet.

We moved from Iowa to Texas. If you compare the real estate tax for Texas to real estate and income tax in Iowa it is pretty close. Actually, we paid more in Texas than here.

Utilities in the winter run about the same as summer utilities in Texas. The benefit is the utilities are manageable in the mild months. For instance we paid $90.00 in September of this year. Our house is 2400 sq. ft. And, we only used our air for about a week this year but it was unseasonably mild.

I would recommend the Bettendorf/Pleasant Valley or North Scott School District.

[CINCINNATI91]

Davenport has one of the lowest prices for a average sized house in the country.. Iowa is very cheap, Iowa City is the only place were the houses are way overpriced..