Moving from Cedar Rapids, IA to Eugene, OR
It is 1953 mi and 34h 35m from Cedar Rapids to Eugene β a cross-country move across 6 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1953 mi Β· 34h 35m by car Β· OR β ID β UT β WY β NE β IA
Distance & route
| Route through | OR β ID β UT β WY β NE β IA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, US 189, I 84 |
| Major cities en route | Nampa, Meridian, Boise City, Salt Lake City, Lincoln |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Cedar Rapids | Eugene | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 88.963 | 101.568 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.981 | 102.531 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.73 | 105.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.447 | 98.35 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 14.2% higher cost of living β rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 14.2% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $204,112 to $473,231 moving to Eugene.
YoY change: Cedar Rapids +2.8%, Eugene -0.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Cedar Rapids | Eugene |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 48Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 11Β°F | 35Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 84Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 35.9" | 40.8" |
Annual average temperatures in Cedar Rapids (48.3Β°F) and Eugene (53.1Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CEDAR RAPIDS MUNI AP, IA US, EUGENE MAHLON SWEET AP, OR US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Cedar Rapids | Eugene |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 177,520 |
| Median household income | $67,859 | $63,836 |
| Median age | 36.9 | 35.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.2% | 23.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.32 | 2.33 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 14.2% lower in Eugene than Cedar Rapids.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Eugene MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 19,330 | $44,270 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 15,420 | $30,860 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 13,740 | $36,090 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 13,230 | $40,070 |
| Management Occupations | 10,540 | $93,090 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Iowa and Oregon
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Oregon'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
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Wildfire season peaks July through September east of the Cascades β register for county emergency alerts.
- 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 Oregon after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Cedar Rapids vs Eugene?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,836 in Eugene vs $67,859 in Cedar Rapids β a 5.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Eugene compared to Cedar Rapids?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $473,231 in Eugene vs $204,112 in Cedar Rapids β a 131.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Eugene more expensive than Cedar Rapids?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Eugene is 14.2% higher than Cedar Rapids (101.568 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 Eugene?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1953 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Eugene, OR from Cedar Rapids, IA?
The driving distance is 1953 mi and the route typically takes 34h 35m via I 80 and US 189. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Eugene compare to Cedar Rapids?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,620 in the Eugene MSA vs $47,670 in the Cedar Rapids MSA, on total employment of 155,990 and 140,020 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
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· Eugene, OR.