Moving from Cedar Rapids, IA to Newark, NJ
It is 1011 mi between Cedar Rapids and Newark β roughly 18h 47m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 6 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.
1011 mi Β· 18h 47m by car Β· NJ β PA β OH β IN β IL β IA
Distance & route
| Route through | NJ β PA β OH β IN β IL β IA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 90, I 280 |
| Major cities en route | New York, Jersey City, Elizabeth, Yonkers, Paterson |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Cedar Rapids | Newark | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 88.963 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.981 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.73 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.447 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP climbs from 88.963 in Cedar Rapids to 112.563 in Newark, putting overall prices 26.5% above the origin.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 26.5% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $204,112 to $478,455 moving to Newark.
YoY change: Cedar Rapids +2.8%, Newark -0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Cedar Rapids | Newark |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 48Β°F | 55Β°F |
| January avg low | 11Β°F | 25Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 28.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 35.9" | 50.4" |
Annual temperature rises 6.5Β°F moving to Newark per NOAA normals.
Newark averages 28.2 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CEDAR RAPIDS MUNI AP, IA US, HARRISON, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Cedar Rapids | Newark |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 307,188 |
| Median household income | $67,859 | $48,416 |
| Median age | 36.9 | 34.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.2% | 12.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.32 | 2.7 |
Newark households earn about 26.5% less than Cedar Rapids at the median β $67,859 β $48,416 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Newark MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 1,165,200 | $50,760 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 806,590 | $46,160 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 755,900 | $44,800 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 755,280 | $37,670 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 725,930 | $100,940 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Iowa and New Jersey
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check New Jersey'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
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Newark averages 28.2 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Pack rain gear on top: Newark averages 50.4 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- 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 New Jersey after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Newark, NJ from Cedar Rapids, IA?
The driving distance is 1011 mi and the route typically takes 18h 47m via I 80 and I 90. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Newark compare to Cedar Rapids?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Newark MSA vs $47,670 in the Cedar Rapids MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 and 140,020 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Newark compared to Cedar Rapids?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $478,455 in Newark vs $204,112 in Cedar Rapids β a 134.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Cedar Rapids vs Newark?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,416 in Newark vs $67,859 in Cedar Rapids β a 28.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Newark more expensive than Cedar Rapids?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Newark is 26.5% higher than Cedar Rapids (112.563 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 Newark?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1011 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
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· Newark, NJ.