Moving from Cedar Rapids, IA to St. Paul, MN
Moving from Cedar Rapids, IA to St. Paul, MN covers 250 mi and about 5h 16m by car through 2 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
250 mi · 5h 16m by car · MN → IA
Distance & route
| Route through | MN → IA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 63, US 52, I 380 |
| Major cities en route | Minneapolis, Rochester |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Cedar Rapids | St. Paul | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 88.963 | 104.822 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.981 | 93.493 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.73 | 103.065 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.447 | 111.838 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in St. Paul is 17.8% higher than Cedar Rapids, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: Cedar Rapids +2.8%, St. Paul —. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Cedar Rapids | St. Paul |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 48°F | 47°F |
| January avg low | 11°F | 9°F |
| July avg high | 83°F | 83°F |
| Annual snowfall | — | — |
| Annual precipitation | 35.9" | 29.2" |
Annual average temperatures in Cedar Rapids (48.3°F) and St. Paul (46.5°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: CEDAR RAPIDS MUNI AP, IA US, ST PAUL DOWNTOWN AP, MN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Cedar Rapids | St. Paul |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 307,762 |
| Median household income | $67,859 | $73,055 |
| Median age | 36.9 | 33.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.2% | 25.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.32 | 2.5 |
Median household income in St. Paul is 17.8% above Cedar Rapids ($67,859 → $73,055, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in St. Paul MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 233,400 | $49,210 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 158,540 | $40,720 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 154,580 | $81,780 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 153,950 | $31,400 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 144,720 | $46,500 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Iowa and Minnesota
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Minnesota'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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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
- I-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms — check MnDOT 511.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Cedar Rapids vs St. Paul?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $73,055 in St. Paul vs $67,859 in Cedar Rapids — a 7.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in St. Paul compare to Cedar Rapids?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $54,850 in the St. Paul MSA vs $47,670 in the Cedar Rapids MSA, on total employment of 1,911,030 and 140,020 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is St. Paul, MN from Cedar Rapids, IA?
The driving distance is 250 mi and the route typically takes 5h 16m via US 63 and US 52. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Cedar Rapids to St. Paul?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 250 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is St. Paul more expensive than Cedar Rapids?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in St. Paul is 17.8% higher than Cedar Rapids (104.822 vs 88.963, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Cedar Rapids.
City profiles: Cedar Rapids, IA · St. Paul, MN.