Moving from Des Moines, IA to Eugene, OR
Cross-country relocations like Des Moines, IA β Eugene, OR cover 1838 mi and about 32h 23m of driving through 6 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1838 mi Β· 32h 23m by car Β· IA β NE β WY β UT β ID β OR
Distance & route
| Route through | IA β NE β WY β UT β ID β OR |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 84, I 80 EXPRESS |
| Major cities en route | Omaha, Lincoln, Salt Lake City, Boise City, Meridian |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Des Moines | Eugene | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.701 | 101.568 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.585 | 102.531 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.73 | 105.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 84.741 | 98.35 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Eugene is 10.8% higher than Des Moines, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Eugene is 10.8% above Des Moines β $208,166 vs $473,231 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Des Moines +0.8%, Eugene -0.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Des Moines | Eugene |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 14Β°F | 35Β°F |
| July avg high | 86Β°F | 84Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 36.5" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 36.6" | 40.8" |
Annual average temperatures in Des Moines (50.9Β°F) and Eugene (53.1Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DES MOINES INTL AP, IA US, EUGENE MAHLON SWEET AP, OR US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Des Moines | Eugene |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 177,520 |
| Median household income | $63,966 | $63,836 |
| Median age | 34.6 | 35.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.9% | 23.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.33 |
Median household incomes in Des Moines ($63,966) and Eugene ($63,836) are within a few percent (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Eugene MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 19,330 | $44,270 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 15,420 | $30,860 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 13,740 | $36,090 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 13,230 | $40,070 |
| Management Occupations | 10,540 | $93,090 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Iowa and Oregon
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Oregon'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.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Wildfire season peaks July through September east of the Cascades β register for county emergency alerts.
- 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 Oregon after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Eugene compare to Des Moines?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,620 in the Eugene MSA vs $49,550 in the Des Moines MSA, on total employment of 155,990 and 383,190 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Eugene more expensive than Des Moines?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Eugene is 10.8% higher than Des Moines (101.568 vs 91.701, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Eugene compared to Des Moines?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $473,231 in Eugene vs $208,166 in Des Moines β a 127.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Des Moines to Eugene?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1838 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Eugene, OR from Des Moines, IA?
The driving distance is 1838 mi and the route typically takes 32h 23m via I 80 and I 84. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Des Moines vs Eugene?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,836 in Eugene vs $63,966 in Des Moines β a 0.2% lower 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· Eugene, OR.