Moving from Des Moines, IA to Los Angeles, CA
Cross-country relocations like Des Moines, IA → Los Angeles, 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 · 29h 33m by car · CA → NV → AZ → UT → CO → NE → IA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → NV → AZ → UT → CO → NE → IA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 80, I 15 |
| Major cities en route | Santa Clarita, Torrance, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Inglewood |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Des Moines | Los Angeles | 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 — 91.701 → 113.566 on the latest BEA Regional Price Parities.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Los Angeles typical home at $952,183 is 23.8% above Des Moines at $208,166 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Des Moines +0.8%, Los Angeles -1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Des Moines | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51°F | 64°F |
| January avg low | 14°F | 48°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 78°F |
| Annual snowfall | 36.5" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 36.6" | 14.1" |
Climate warms by 12.9°F on the annual average — 50.9°F → 63.8°F.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Los Angeles sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: DES MOINES INTL AP, IA US, CULVER CITY, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Des Moines | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 3,857,897 |
| Median household income | $63,966 | $80,366 |
| Median age | 34.6 | 36.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.9% | 24.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.72 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 23.8% between Des Moines and Los Angeles (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Los Angeles 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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter 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 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April — check CDOT alerts before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Dry climate: Los Angeles sees only 14.1 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 (12.9°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 — 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
What is the climate difference between Des Moines and Los Angeles?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 63.8°F in Los Angeles vs 50.9°F in Des Moines (12.9°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 36.5 in. Annual precipitation: 14.1 in vs 36.6 in.
When is the best time to move from Des Moines to Los Angeles?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% 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 — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Los Angeles compared to Des Moines?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $952,183 in Los Angeles vs $208,166 in Des Moines — a 357.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Los Angeles more expensive than Des Moines?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $80,366 in Los Angeles vs $63,966 in Des Moines — a 25.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Los Angeles compare to Des Moines?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Los Angeles 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 far is Los Angeles, CA from Des Moines, IA?
The driving distance is 1697 mi and the route typically takes 29h 33m via I 70 and I 80. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Des Moines.
City profiles: Des Moines, IA · Los Angeles, CA.