Moving from Cedar Rapids, IA to Houston, TX
It is 1049 mi between Cedar Rapids and Houston β roughly 19h 23m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 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.
1049 mi Β· 19h 23m by car Β· TX β OK β MO β IA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β OK β MO β IA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 45, US 69, I 35 |
| Major cities en route | Pasadena, Pearland, League City, Sugar Land, Mesquite |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Cedar Rapids | Houston | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 88.963 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.981 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.73 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.447 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 10.9% above Cedar Rapids β 88.963 β 98.629 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
10.9% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Cedar Rapids +2.8%, Houston -2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Cedar Rapids | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 48Β°F | 71Β°F |
| January avg low | 11Β°F | 44Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 35.9" | 54.1" |
Annual average temperature gap of 22.3Β°F β a meaningful climate change across the move.
Effectively snow-free year in Houston β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CEDAR RAPIDS MUNI AP, IA US, HOUSTON-PORT, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Cedar Rapids | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 2,300,419 |
| Median household income | $67,859 | $62,894 |
| Median age | 36.9 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.2% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.32 | 2.51 |
Households in Houston earn about 10.9% less at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Houston MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 387,430 | $41,570 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 305,780 | $39,450 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 288,170 | $27,490 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 269,160 | $35,450 |
| Management Occupations | 268,670 | $109,460 |
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 Houston average 93Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Houston averages 54.1 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (22.3Β°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 does household income compare in Cedar Rapids vs Houston?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,894 in Houston vs $67,859 in Cedar Rapids β a 7.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Houston compare to Cedar Rapids?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Houston MSA vs $47,670 in the Cedar Rapids MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 140,020 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Houston more expensive than Cedar Rapids?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Houston is 10.9% higher than Cedar Rapids (98.629 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 Houston?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1049 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Houston, TX from Cedar Rapids, IA?
The driving distance is 1049 mi and the route typically takes 19h 23m via I 45 and US 69. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Houston compared to Cedar Rapids?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $264,336 in Houston vs $204,112 in Cedar Rapids β a 29.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
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· Houston, TX.