Moving from Des Moines, IA to Grand Prairie, TX
It is 750 mi between Des Moines and Grand Prairie β roughly 13h 13m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
750 mi Β· 13h 13m by car Β· IA β MO β KS β OK β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | IA β MO β KS β OK β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, I 470, I 70 |
| Major cities en route | Independence, Lee S Summit, Kansas City, Kansas City, Overland Park |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Des Moines | Grand Prairie | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.701 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.585 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.73 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 84.741 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Grand Prairie runs about 12.4% more expensive overall than Des Moines β RPP 91.701 β 103.09.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $208,166 in Des Moines to $316,527 in Grand Prairie, a 12.4% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Des Moines +0.8%, Grand Prairie -2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Des Moines | Grand Prairie |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 14Β°F | 33Β°F |
| July avg high | 86Β°F | 96Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 36.5" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 36.6" | 41.1" |
Annual temperature rises 14.7Β°F moving to Grand Prairie per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DES MOINES INTL AP, IA US, JOE POOL LAKE, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Des Moines | Grand Prairie |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 198,564 |
| Median household income | $63,966 | $78,889 |
| Median age | 34.6 | 33.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.9% | 19.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.97 |
Grand Prairie households earn about 12.4% more than Des Moines at the median β $63,966 β $78,889 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Grand Prairie MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Iowa and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Grand Prairie average 96Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (14.7Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Grand Prairie more expensive than Des Moines?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Grand Prairie is 12.4% higher than Des Moines (103.09 vs 91.701, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Grand Prairie compare to Des Moines?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Grand Prairie MSA vs $49,550 in the Des Moines MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 383,190 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Des Moines vs Grand Prairie?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $78,889 in Grand Prairie vs $63,966 in Des Moines β a 23.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Grand Prairie compared to Des Moines?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $316,527 in Grand Prairie vs $208,166 in Des Moines β a 52.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Grand Prairie, TX from Des Moines, IA?
The driving distance is 750 mi and the route typically takes 13h 13m via I 35 and I 470. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Des Moines to Grand Prairie?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 750 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
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· Grand Prairie, TX.