Moving from Des Moines, IA to Inglewood, CA
Cross-country relocations like Des Moines, IA β Inglewood, CA cover 1697 mi and about 29h 33m of driving through 7 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.
1697 mi Β· 29h 33m by car Β· IA β NE β CO β UT β AZ β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | IA β NE β CO β UT β AZ β NV β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 80 EXPRESS, I 15 |
| Major cities en route | Omaha, Lincoln, Greeley, Denver, Aurora |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Des Moines | Inglewood | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.701 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.585 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.73 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 84.741 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
You are looking at a 23.8% pricier overall price level β 91.701 β 113.566 on the latest BEA Regional Price Parities.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Inglewood typical home at $763,568 is 23.8% above Des Moines at $208,166 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Des Moines +0.8%, Inglewood +0.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Des Moines | Inglewood |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 14Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 86Β°F | 77Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 36.5" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 36.6" | 11.8" |
Climate warms by 13.6Β°F on the annual average β 50.9Β°F β 64.5Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DES MOINES INTL AP, IA US, HAWTHORNE MUNI AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Des Moines | Inglewood |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 105,575 |
| Median household income | $63,966 | $71,029 |
| Median age | 34.6 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.9% | 16.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.93 |
Income steps up 23.8%: $63,966 in Des Moines vs $71,029 in Inglewood.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Inglewood MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
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
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts 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-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- 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
- Dry climate: Inglewood sees only 11.8 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (13.6Β°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
Is Inglewood more expensive than Des Moines?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Inglewood is 23.8% higher than Des Moines (113.566 vs 91.701, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Des Moines vs Inglewood?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $71,029 in Inglewood vs $63,966 in Des Moines β a 11.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Inglewood, CA from Des Moines, IA?
The driving distance is 1697 mi and the route typically takes 29h 33m via I 70 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Des Moines to Inglewood?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1697 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Inglewood compare to Des Moines?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Inglewood MSA vs $49,550 in the Des Moines MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 383,190 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Inglewood compared to Des Moines?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $763,568 in Inglewood vs $208,166 in Des Moines β a 266.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
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· Inglewood, CA.