Moving from Buffalo, NY to Cedar Rapids, IA
It is 765 mi between Buffalo and Cedar Rapids β roughly 14h 28m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 6 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
765 mi Β· 14h 28m by car Β· NY β PA β OH β IN β IL β IA
Distance & route
| Route through | NY β PA β OH β IN β IL β IA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, I 80, I 280 |
| Major cities en route | Cleveland, Akron, Toledo, South Bend, Chicago |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Buffalo | Cedar Rapids | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.844 | 88.963 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 129.489 | 83.981 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 99.693 | 93.73 | 100.0 |
| Services | 80.989 | 71.447 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 7.2% cheaper overall in Cedar Rapids than Buffalo on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 7.2% under Buffalo β $238,089 β $204,112 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Buffalo +3.8%, Cedar Rapids +2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Buffalo | Cedar Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 49Β°F | 48Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 11Β°F |
| July avg high | 80Β°F | 83Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 95.4" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 40.7" | 35.9" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: BUFFALO, NY US, CEDAR RAPIDS MUNI AP, IA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Buffalo | Cedar Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 136,859 |
| Median household income | $48,050 | $67,859 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 36.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.9% | 22.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.31 | 2.32 |
Cedar Rapids households earn about 7.2% more than Buffalo at the median β $48,050 β $67,859 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Cedar Rapids MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 16,490 | $43,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 14,280 | $46,000 |
| Production Occupations | 13,570 | $46,060 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 11,520 | $34,850 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 11,280 | $29,630 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between New York and Iowa
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Iowa's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- Lake-effect off Lake Ontario can shut down I-81 and I-90 for hours in winter β check 511NY.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Tornado season runs April through June β identify a safe room or interior space early.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Iowa after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Cedar Rapids, IA from Buffalo, NY?
The driving distance is 765 mi and the route typically takes 14h 28m via I 90 and I 80. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Cedar Rapids compared to Buffalo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $204,112 in Cedar Rapids vs $238,089 in Buffalo β a 14.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Cedar Rapids more expensive than Buffalo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Cedar Rapids is 7.2% lower than Buffalo (88.963 vs 95.844, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Cedar Rapids compare to Buffalo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,670 in the Cedar Rapids MSA vs $48,560 in the Buffalo MSA, on total employment of 140,020 and 526,990 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Buffalo vs Cedar Rapids?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,859 in Cedar Rapids vs $48,050 in Buffalo β a 41.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Buffalo to Cedar Rapids?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 765 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Buffalo.
City profiles: Buffalo, NY Β· Cedar Rapids, IA.