Moving from Des Moines, IA to Concord, CA
Moving from Des Moines, IA to Concord, CA is a 1783 mi cross-country relocation β about 30h 24m of driving through 6 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
1783 mi Β· 30h 24m by car Β· IA β NE β WY β UT β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | IA β NE β WY β UT β NV β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 80 EXPRESS, I 680 |
| Major cities en route | Omaha, Lincoln, Salt Lake City, West Valley City, West Jordan |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Des Moines | Concord | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.701 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.585 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.73 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 84.741 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
You are looking at a 26.1% pricier overall price level β 91.701 β 115.613 on the latest BEA Regional Price Parities.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Concord typical home at $742,769 is 26.1% above Des Moines at $208,166 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Des Moines +0.8%, Concord -3.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Des Moines | Concord |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 14Β°F | 41Β°F |
| July avg high | 86Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 36.5" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 36.6" | 16.1" |
Concord runs 11.1Β°F warmer on the annual average (50.9Β°F vs 62.0Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DES MOINES INTL AP, IA US, CONCORD BUCHANAN FLD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Des Moines | Concord |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 124,260 |
| Median household income | $63,966 | $109,195 |
| Median age | 34.6 | 38.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.9% | 26.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.72 |
Median household income in Concord is 26.1% above Des Moines ($63,966 vs $109,195, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Concord MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 244,380 | $59,630 |
| Management Occupations | 237,070 | $171,350 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 211,250 | $104,950 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 194,040 | $39,200 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 183,930 | $49,390 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Iowa and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (11.1Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Concord compare to Des Moines?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Concord MSA vs $49,550 in the Des Moines MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 383,190 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Concord more expensive than Des Moines?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Concord is 26.1% higher than Des Moines (115.613 vs 91.701, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Des Moines to Concord?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1783 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 Concord compared to Des Moines?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $742,769 in Concord vs $208,166 in Des Moines β a 256.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Concord, CA from Des Moines, IA?
The driving distance is 1783 mi and the route typically takes 30h 24m via I 80 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Des Moines vs Concord?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $109,195 in Concord vs $63,966 in Des Moines β a 70.7% 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 Des Moines.
City profiles: Des Moines, IA Β· Concord, CA.