Moving from Des Moines, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA
Relocating between Des Moines, IA and Cedar Rapids, IA is a 117 mi drive — 2h 25m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
117 mi · 2h 25m by car · IA
Distance & route
| Route through | IA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 30, US 65, IA 330 |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Des Moines | Cedar Rapids | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.701 | 88.963 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.585 | 83.981 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.73 | 93.73 | 100.0 |
| Services | 84.741 | 71.447 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing stays roughly flat moving from Des Moines to Cedar Rapids — $208,166 vs $204,112 (2026-03).
YoY change: Des Moines +0.8%, Cedar Rapids +2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Des Moines | Cedar Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51°F | 48°F |
| January avg low | 14°F | 11°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 83°F |
| Annual snowfall | 36.5" | — |
| Annual precipitation | 36.6" | 35.9" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: DES MOINES INTL AP, IA US, CEDAR RAPIDS MUNI AP, IA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Des Moines | Cedar Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 136,859 |
| Median household income | $63,966 | $67,859 |
| Median age | 34.6 | 36.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.9% | 22.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.32 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 3.0% higher in Cedar Rapids than Des Moines.
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.
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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Tornado season runs April through June — 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.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Des Moines vs Cedar Rapids?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,859 in Cedar Rapids vs $63,966 in Des Moines — a 6.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Cedar Rapids, IA from Des Moines, IA?
The driving distance is 117 mi and the route typically takes 2h 25m via US 30 and US 65. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Des Moines to Cedar Rapids?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 117 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Cedar Rapids more expensive than Des Moines?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Cedar Rapids is 3.0% lower than Des Moines (88.963 vs 91.701, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Cedar Rapids compared to Des Moines?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $204,112 in Cedar Rapids vs $208,166 in Des Moines — a 1.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Cedar Rapids compare to Des Moines?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,670 in the Cedar Rapids MSA vs $49,550 in the Des Moines MSA, on total employment of 140,020 and 383,190 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 Des Moines.
City profiles: Des Moines, IA · Cedar Rapids, IA.