Moving from Cedar Rapids, IA to Seattle, WA
It is 1825 mi and 32h 9m from Cedar Rapids to Seattle β a cross-country move across 5 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.
1825 mi Β· 32h 9m by car Β· WA β ID β MT β SD β IA
Distance & route
| Route through | WA β ID β MT β SD β IA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, US 14, SD 79 |
| Major cities en route | Everett, Tacoma, Bellevue, Kent, Renton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Cedar Rapids | Seattle | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 88.963 | 111.133 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.981 | 92.814 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.73 | 103.972 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.447 | 151.314 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP climbs from 88.963 in Cedar Rapids to 111.133 in Seattle, putting overall prices 24.9% above the origin.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 24.9% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $204,112 to $868,680 moving to Seattle.
YoY change: Cedar Rapids +2.8%, Seattle -2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Cedar Rapids | Seattle |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 48Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 11Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 77Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 3.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 35.9" | 37.8" |
Annual average temperatures in Cedar Rapids (48.3Β°F) and Seattle (53.2Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Seattle averages 3.8 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CEDAR RAPIDS MUNI AP, IA US, SEATTLE SAND PT WSFO, WA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Cedar Rapids | Seattle |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 741,440 |
| Median household income | $67,859 | $121,984 |
| Median age | 36.9 | 35.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.2% | 37.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.32 | 2.1 |
Expect median household income to rise 24.9% β $67,859 β $121,984 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Seattle MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 225,240 | $54,470 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 197,190 | $97,870 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 190,190 | $48,950 |
| Computer and Mathematical Occupations | 171,820 | $140,760 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 167,750 | $40,980 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Iowa and Washington
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Washington'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
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Montana interstates can close without notice in winter storms β check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.
- I-90 across western South Dakota can close in ground blizzards β check SD 511 November through April.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Wildfire season east of the Cascades peaks July through September; earthquake preparedness is standard west of the mountains.
- 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 Washington after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Seattle more expensive than Cedar Rapids?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Seattle is 24.9% higher than Cedar Rapids (111.133 vs 88.963, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Cedar Rapids vs Seattle?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $121,984 in Seattle vs $67,859 in Cedar Rapids β a 79.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Seattle compared to Cedar Rapids?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $868,680 in Seattle vs $204,112 in Cedar Rapids β a 325.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Seattle compare to Cedar Rapids?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $65,260 in the Seattle MSA vs $47,670 in the Cedar Rapids MSA, on total employment of 2,079,090 and 140,020 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Cedar Rapids to Seattle?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1825 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Seattle, WA from Cedar Rapids, IA?
The driving distance is 1825 mi and the route typically takes 32h 9m via I 90 and US 14. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
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· Seattle, WA.