Moving from Denver, CO to Cedar Rapids, IA
Relocating 784 mi from Denver to Cedar Rapids is a 13h 53m drive through 3 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
784 mi Β· 13h 53m by car Β· CO β NE β IA
Distance & route
| Route through | CO β NE β IA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 76, US 30 |
| Major cities en route | Aurora, Centennial, Lakewood, Arvada, Westminster |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Denver | Cedar Rapids | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 88.963 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 83.981 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 93.73 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 71.447 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 15.9% cheaper overall in Cedar Rapids than Denver on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
15.9% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Denver -4.3%, Cedar Rapids +2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Denver | Cedar Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 48Β°F |
| January avg low | 18Β°F | 11Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 83Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 49.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 15.4" | 35.9" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DENVER-STAPLETON, CO US, CEDAR RAPIDS MUNI AP, IA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Denver | Cedar Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 713,734 | 136,859 |
| Median household income | $91,681 | $67,859 |
| Median age | 35.2 | 36.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.8% | 22.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.17 | 2.32 |
Expect median household income to fall 15.9% β $91,681 β $67,859 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Cedar Rapids MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 16,490 | $43,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 14,280 | $46,000 |
| Production Occupations | 13,570 | $46,060 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 11,520 | $34,850 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 11,280 | $29,630 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and Iowa
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Iowa'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
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Tornado season runs April through June β identify a safe room or interior space early.
- 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 Iowa after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Cedar Rapids compared to Denver?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $204,112 in Cedar Rapids vs $539,666 in Denver β a 62.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Cedar Rapids compare to Denver?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,670 in the Cedar Rapids MSA vs $58,490 in the Denver MSA, on total employment of 140,020 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Cedar Rapids more expensive than Denver?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Cedar Rapids is 15.9% lower than Denver (88.963 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Denver vs Cedar Rapids?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,859 in Cedar Rapids vs $91,681 in Denver β a 26.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Denver to Cedar Rapids?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 784 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Cedar Rapids, IA from Denver, CO?
The driving distance is 784 mi and the route typically takes 13h 53m via I 80 and I 76. The trip crosses 3 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 Denver.
City profiles: Denver, CO Β· Cedar Rapids, IA.