Moving from Cedar Rapids, IA to Laredo, TX
The drive from Cedar Rapids, IA to Laredo, TX runs 1276 mi β about 22h 36m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
1276 mi Β· 22h 36m 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 | San Antonio, Austin, Round Rock, Killeen, Waco |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Cedar Rapids | Laredo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 88.963 | 86.956 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.981 | 80.614 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.73 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.447 | 59.746 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Laredo and Cedar Rapids is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Laredo is 2.3% above Cedar Rapids ($220,331 vs $204,112 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Cedar Rapids +2.8%, Laredo +2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Cedar Rapids | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 48Β°F | 75Β°F |
| January avg low | 11Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 100Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 35.9" | 19.7" |
Laredo runs 26.7Β°F warmer on the annual average (48.3Β°F vs 75.0Β°F) β a climate shift you will feel in cooling bills and wardrobe alike.
Laredo gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CEDAR RAPIDS MUNI AP, IA US, LAREDO 2, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Cedar Rapids | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 255,949 |
| Median household income | $67,859 | $63,264 |
| Median age | 36.9 | 29.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.2% | 15.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.32 | 3.36 |
Income steps down 2.3%: $67,859 in Cedar Rapids vs $63,264 in Laredo.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Laredo MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 15,810 | $34,040 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 15,300 | $35,870 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 10,740 | $23,180 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 9,360 | $28,410 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 9,330 | $22,560 |
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 Laredo average 100Β°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 (26.7Β°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
When is the best time to move from Cedar Rapids to Laredo?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1276 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Laredo compared to Cedar Rapids?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $220,331 in Laredo vs $204,112 in Cedar Rapids β a 7.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Laredo more expensive than Cedar Rapids?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Laredo is 2.3% lower than Cedar Rapids (86.956 vs 88.963, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Laredo, TX from Cedar Rapids, IA?
The driving distance is 1276 mi and the route typically takes 22h 36m via I 35 and US 77. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Laredo compare to Cedar Rapids?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $35,220 in the Laredo MSA vs $47,670 in the Cedar Rapids MSA, on total employment of 104,610 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 Laredo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,264 in Laredo vs $67,859 in Cedar Rapids β a 6.8% lower 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· Laredo, TX.