Moving from Cedar Rapids, IA to West Palm Beach, FL
It is 1430 mi between Cedar Rapids and West Palm Beach β roughly 26h 34m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 7 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.
1430 mi Β· 26h 34m by car Β· IA β MO β IL β KY β TN β GA β FL
Distance & route
| Route through | IA β MO β IL β KY β TN β GA β FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 75, I 24, GA 540 |
| Major cities en route | St Louis, Clarksville, Murfreesboro, Chattanooga, Sandy Springs |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Cedar Rapids | West Palm Beach | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 88.963 | 114.155 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.981 | 97.235 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.73 | 103.556 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.447 | 155.551 | 100.0 |
West Palm Beach is 28.3% more expensive than Cedar Rapids on the BEA RPP β expect rent and services to carry most of that gap.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $204,112 in Cedar Rapids to $399,471 in West Palm Beach, a 28.3% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Cedar Rapids +2.8%, West Palm Beach -3.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Cedar Rapids | West Palm Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 48Β°F | 76Β°F |
| January avg low | 11Β°F | 58Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 35.9" | 61.7" |
Annual average temperature jumps 27.5Β°F β 48.3Β°F in Cedar Rapids vs 75.8Β°F in West Palm Beach, per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CEDAR RAPIDS MUNI AP, IA US, WEST PALM BEACH INTL AP, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Cedar Rapids | West Palm Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 119,508 |
| Median household income | $67,859 | $69,261 |
| Median age | 36.9 | 40.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.2% | 23.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.32 | 2.37 |
Household income lines up β $67,859 vs $69,261 on ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in West Palm Beach MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 393,730 | $41,640 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 306,440 | $37,640 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 261,940 | $30,720 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 239,610 | $37,610 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 194,910 | $77,760 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Iowa and Florida
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Florida'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
- I-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in West Palm Beach average 90Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: West Palm Beach averages 61.7 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (27.5Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Hurricane season runs June through November β stock a basic emergency kit (water, flashlight, battery radio) during unpack.
- 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 Florida after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in West Palm Beach compared to Cedar Rapids?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $399,471 in West Palm Beach vs $204,112 in Cedar Rapids β a 95.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in West Palm Beach compare to Cedar Rapids?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,510 in the West Palm Beach MSA vs $47,670 in the Cedar Rapids MSA, on total employment of 2,721,490 and 140,020 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is West Palm Beach more expensive than Cedar Rapids?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in West Palm Beach is 28.3% higher than Cedar Rapids (114.155 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 West Palm Beach?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1430 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is West Palm Beach, FL from Cedar Rapids, IA?
The driving distance is 1430 mi and the route typically takes 26h 34m via I 75 and I 24. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Cedar Rapids vs West Palm Beach?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $69,261 in West Palm Beach vs $67,859 in Cedar Rapids β a 2.1% higher 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· West Palm Beach, FL.