Moving from Cedar Rapids, IA to Denver, CO
It is 784 mi between Cedar Rapids and Denver β roughly 13h 53m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 3 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.
784 mi Β· 13h 53m by car Β· CO β NE β IA
Distance & route
| Route through | CO β NE β IA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 76, US 30 |
| Major cities en route | Aurora, Centennial, Lakewood, Arvada, Westminster |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Cedar Rapids | Denver | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 88.963 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.981 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.73 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.447 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 18.9% above Cedar Rapids β 88.963 β 105.782 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
18.9% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Cedar Rapids +2.8%, Denver -4.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Cedar Rapids | Denver |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 48Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 11Β°F | 18Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 49.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 35.9" | 15.4" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Heavy-snow city: expect 49.0 in of snowfall annually at Denver.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CEDAR RAPIDS MUNI AP, IA US, DENVER-STAPLETON, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Cedar Rapids | Denver |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 713,734 |
| Median household income | $67,859 | $91,681 |
| Median age | 36.9 | 35.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.2% | 33.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.32 | 2.17 |
Denver households earn about 18.9% more than Cedar Rapids at the median β $67,859 β $91,681 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Denver MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 173,910 | $49,000 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 172,890 | $48,280 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 164,250 | $84,370 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 140,150 | $36,010 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 129,510 | $45,350 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Iowa and Colorado
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Colorado'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
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Denver averages 49.0 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Denver average 90Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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 Colorado after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Denver compared to Cedar Rapids?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $539,666 in Denver vs $204,112 in Cedar Rapids β a 164.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Denver, CO from Cedar Rapids, IA?
The driving distance is 784 mi and the route typically takes 13h 53m via I 80 and I 76. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Denver more expensive than Cedar Rapids?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Denver is 18.9% higher than Cedar Rapids (105.782 vs 88.963, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Cedar Rapids to Denver?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 784 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 Denver compare to Cedar Rapids?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Denver MSA vs $47,670 in the Cedar Rapids MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 140,020 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Cedar Rapids vs Denver?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $91,681 in Denver vs $67,859 in Cedar Rapids β a 35.1% 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· Denver, CO.