Moving from Cedar Rapids, IA to Austin, TX
It is 1044 mi between Cedar Rapids and Austin β roughly 18h 29m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 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.
1044 mi Β· 18h 29m by car Β· TX β OK β KS β MO β IA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β OK β KS β MO β IA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, US 77, MO 110 |
| Major cities en route | Round Rock, Killeen, Waco, Fort Worth, Arlington |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Cedar Rapids | Austin | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 88.963 | 98.066 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.981 | 82.044 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.73 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.447 | 120.361 | 100.0 |
Austin runs about 10.2% more expensive overall than Cedar Rapids β RPP 88.963 β 98.066.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $204,112 in Cedar Rapids to $508,530 in Austin, a 10.2% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Cedar Rapids +2.8%, Austin -5.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Cedar Rapids | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 48Β°F | 70Β°F |
| January avg low | 11Β°F | 42Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 97Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 35.9" | 36.3" |
Annual average temperature jumps 21.7Β°F β 48.3Β°F in Cedar Rapids vs 70.0Β°F in Austin, per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Austin sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CEDAR RAPIDS MUNI AP, IA US, AUSTIN-CAMP MABRY, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Cedar Rapids | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 967,862 |
| Median household income | $67,859 | $91,461 |
| Median age | 36.9 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.2% | 36.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.32 | 2.2 |
Austin households earn about 10.2% more than Cedar Rapids at the median β $67,859 β $91,461 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Austin MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 160,480 | $44,250 |
| Management Occupations | 121,080 | $120,430 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 115,170 | $38,390 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 115,080 | $30,040 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 99,680 | $77,510 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Iowa and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Austin average 97Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (21.7Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Austin compared to Cedar Rapids?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $508,530 in Austin vs $204,112 in Cedar Rapids β a 149.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Cedar Rapids to Austin?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1044 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Austin compare to Cedar Rapids?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,070 in the Austin MSA vs $47,670 in the Cedar Rapids MSA, on total employment of 1,235,440 and 140,020 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Austin more expensive than Cedar Rapids?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Austin is 10.2% higher than Cedar Rapids (98.066 vs 88.963, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Austin, TX from Cedar Rapids, IA?
The driving distance is 1044 mi and the route typically takes 18h 29m via I 35 and US 77. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Cedar Rapids vs Austin?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $91,461 in Austin vs $67,859 in Cedar Rapids β a 34.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Cedar Rapids.
City profiles: Cedar Rapids, IA Β· Austin, TX.