Moving from Cedar Rapids, IA to Tacoma, WA
Cross-country relocations like Cedar Rapids, IA β Tacoma, WA cover 1838 mi and about 32h 26m of driving through 5 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1838 mi Β· 32h 26m 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 | Kent, Seattle, Bellevue, Renton, Spokane |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Cedar Rapids | Tacoma | 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 |
You are looking at a 24.9% pricier overall price level β 88.963 β 111.133 on the latest BEA Regional Price Parities.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Tacoma typical home at $493,840 is 24.9% above Cedar Rapids at $204,112 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Cedar Rapids +2.8%, Tacoma -0.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Cedar Rapids | Tacoma |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 48Β°F | 54Β°F |
| January avg low | 11Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 77Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 35.9" | 40.8" |
Climate warms by 5.4Β°F on the annual average β 48.3Β°F β 53.7Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CEDAR RAPIDS MUNI AP, IA US, TACOMA #1, WA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Cedar Rapids | Tacoma |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 220,482 |
| Median household income | $67,859 | $83,857 |
| Median age | 36.9 | 37.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.2% | 21% |
| Avg household size | 2.32 | 2.41 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 24.9% between Cedar Rapids and Tacoma (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Tacoma 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
How does household income compare in Cedar Rapids vs Tacoma?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $83,857 in Tacoma vs $67,859 in Cedar Rapids β a 23.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Tacoma, WA from Cedar Rapids, IA?
The driving distance is 1838 mi and the route typically takes 32h 26m via I 90 and US 14. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Tacoma more expensive than Cedar Rapids?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tacoma 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.
When is the best time to move from Cedar Rapids to Tacoma?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1838 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 Tacoma compared to Cedar Rapids?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $493,840 in Tacoma vs $204,112 in Cedar Rapids β a 141.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Tacoma compare to Cedar Rapids?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $65,260 in the Tacoma 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.
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· Tacoma, WA.