Moving from Des Moines, IA to Cincinnati, OH
Relocating 588 mi from Des Moines to Cincinnati is a 10h 48m drive through 4 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.
588 mi Β· 10h 48m by car Β· OH β IN β IL β IA
Distance & route
| Route through | OH β IN β IL β IA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 74, US 52, IL 110 |
| Major cities en route | Peoria, Cedar Rapids |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Des Moines | Cincinnati | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.701 | 95.37 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.585 | 90.954 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.73 | 93.751 | 100.0 |
| Services | 84.741 | 87.608 | 100.0 |
Des Moines and Cincinnati sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in Cincinnati run about 4.0% pricier β ZHVI $208,166 β $249,568 (2026-03).
YoY change: Des Moines +0.8%, Cincinnati +1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Des Moines | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 55Β°F |
| January avg low | 14Β°F | 24Β°F |
| July avg high | 86Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 36.5" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 36.6" | 43.4" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 50.9Β°F vs 54.8Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DES MOINES INTL AP, IA US, CINCINNATI LUNKEN AP, OH US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Des Moines | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 309,595 |
| Median household income | $63,966 | $51,707 |
| Median age | 34.6 | 33 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.9% | 23.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.17 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 4.0% lower in Cincinnati than Des Moines.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Cincinnati MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 134,320 | $43,760 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 114,420 | $40,930 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 103,690 | $29,030 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 91,020 | $35,670 |
| Production Occupations | 77,510 | $44,290 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Iowa and Ohio
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Ohio'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.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Des Moines to Cincinnati?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 588 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 Cincinnati compared to Des Moines?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $249,568 in Cincinnati vs $208,166 in Des Moines β a 19.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Cincinnati, OH from Des Moines, IA?
The driving distance is 588 mi and the route typically takes 10h 48m via I 74 and US 52. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Des Moines vs Cincinnati?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,707 in Cincinnati vs $63,966 in Des Moines β a 19.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Cincinnati compare to Des Moines?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,280 in the Cincinnati MSA vs $49,550 in the Des Moines MSA, on total employment of 1,081,800 and 383,190 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Cincinnati more expensive than Des Moines?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Cincinnati is 4.0% higher than Des Moines (95.37 vs 91.701, 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 Des Moines.
City profiles: Des Moines, IA Β· Cincinnati, OH.