What are the differences between Iowa and Indiana? (Des Moines, Cedar Rapids: housing, schools)

[patrickmich]

Geographically speaking, more than culturally, what are the differences between the two states, to the best of your knowledge? I live out West
where houses cost twice the amount they do in the Midwest. I am looking
to move to the Midwest. Thank you.

[Luke9686]

If I remember correctly from driving through Indiana is the only real difference is Indiana is more flat. Iowa has more gently rolling hills, and Indiana (as I recall) is flatter.

[Amac]

Originally Posted by patrickmich

Geographically speaking, more than culturally, what are the differences between the two states, to the best of your knowledge? I live out West
where houses cost twice the amount they do in the Midwest. I am looking
to move to the Midwest. Thank you.

Indiana - more snow, more crowded, more of a feeling that you're living in the appalachians with a bunch of people in overalls with two teeth. Even in Indianapolis.

[Tek_Freek]

Iowa is more windy. In winters this is not good.

On a smart aleck note: The letters between I and A. (Couldn't resist).

[patrickmich]

haha about the two-toothers from Indiana. This thought makes me shudder.
I hope it's not REALLY like that. Maybe just a little bit of Midwestern rivilary.
My impressions of the differences between Iowa and Indiana,
is Iowa is more hogs. Indiana is more corn. Iowa has more farm-boys than
Indiana. Iowa is more contenential, and thus more fridig in the winter.
Summers are probably hotter. I am still hard pressed to choice between the two. I suspect that Indiana might have more charm than Iowa.
Decisions, Decisions.

[Dogs_in_Denver]

Originally Posted by patrickmich

haha about the two-toothers from Indiana. This thought makes me shudder.
I hope it's not REALLY like that. Maybe just a little bit of Midwestern rivilary.
My impressions of the differences between Iowa and Indiana,
is Iowa is more hogs. Indiana is more corn. Iowa has more farm-boys than
Indiana. Iowa is more contenential, and thus more fridig in the winter.
Summers are probably hotter. I am still hard pressed to choice between the two. I suspect that Indiana might have more charm than Iowa.
Decisions, Decisions.

Actually, no, the last poster was telling the truth. Just think about it- Indianapolis is the birth place of Nascar.

Seriously, I live in Denver but I lived in Iowa City, IA for a while and I have been to Indiana a lot because I have a brother in Cincinnati. With the exception of Bloomington, IN (which is a nice college town) my impression of Indiana is certainly less than favorable. People talk like farmers, and they don't in Iowa- which in general is more educated (it is known for it's schools actually) and less hillbilly.

If you are from the west coast, the only place you should live in either of these states is in or near a nice college town. People are educated, and there is more to do. In Indiana, that is Bloomington. In Iowa, that is Iowa City. Just my advice.

[MattDen]

I have been through both Indiana and Iowa many, many times.

Indiana is a much more urban and populated state then Iowa. Iowa is much more agricultural and the population density is much lower.

Iowa doesnt seem to be growing as fast overall as Indiana either. Des Moines is the largest metro in Iowa with about 600,000 people while the Indianapolis metro area is about three times the size.

Iowa is more politically progressive and much more Democratic then Indiana. Iowa has more liberal strongholds like Cedar Rapids, Des Moines and Iowa City while Indiana is more culturally conservative overall except for some moderation in the college towns and around Indianapolis.

Iowa and Indiana are both quite religious in nature, but with Iowa it will more of the moderate lutheran type then Indiana.

Overall, Iowa despite being more rural is one of the most progressive states in the midwest while Indiana is one of the most conservative.

People tend to be more friendly in my opinion in Indiana then Iowa. Iowans are very community oriented but very insular from my experience while Indiana is more open welcoming and friendly people. Its not that Iowans are rude at all, its just it seems to take them a while to warm up to newcomers then Indiana.

Thats just my opinion but I have never lived in either state but been in both many times.

As far as largest cities in each state Indianapolis compared to Des Moines.

Indianapolis has a much, much higher violent crime rate then Des Moines
Indianapolis is much bigger about three times the size
Both have very affordable costs of housing
Des Moines is more community oriented looking in my opinion, its much more tidy and clean then Indianapolis.
Des Moines is more liberal then Indianapolis, Indianapolis seems to be quite conservative for a large city even though Marion County is pretty split politically.
Des Moines would be more neighborhoody also. Indianapolis neighborhoods dont seem as distinct in my opinion compared to the ones in Des Moines.
Indianapolis is also more culturally diverse in general, but Des Moines has more diversity then one would think.

[patrickmich]

Quite insightful analysis, especially for someone who hasn't lived in either place. I sense that you were pretty much on target. The fact that Iowa is
more liberal than Indiana is an immediate turn off for me. Although not
a crucial factor in my choice of city. Very interesting info, I appreciate it.

[metroplex2003]

Comparisons:
Iowa: 2.982 million
Indiana: 6.313 million

Largest MSA:
Iowa: Des Moines 534000 people
Indiana: Indianapolis: 1.66 million

Other Notable MSA's:
Iowa: Cedar Rapids 243000, Quad Cities (aka Davenport): 377000 Sioux City: 143000 Waterloo: 162000 Iowa City/Coralville: 133,000
Indiana: South Bend: 318000 Evansville: 350000 Lafayette: 185000Kohomo: 100,000 Muncie: 114000 Terre Haute: 166000

Iowa Major Waterways: Mississippi and Missouri
Indiana: Lake Michigan and Ohio River

Iowa: Democrats (Eastern Iowa)/Republican (Western Iowa) state
Indiana: Republican state

[MattDen]

Yeah, I have never lived in either state but I been to them many, many times. Im not anywhere close to being an expert at all about either state just sort of just my observations when I was in each state.

I do have a pretty good idea though about what the cultural vibe is about and I am fairly observant when I take a road trip.

Western Iowa is fairly conservative though, they have a very high dutch population but it isnt economically behind the times it seems in those towns.

In my opinion the nicest cities out of those two states in my observations have been: Coralville/Iowa City, Des Moines and Bloomington, Indiana. The area down towards New Albany and Sellersburg, Indiana is very nice also.