Moving from Des Moines, IA to Mobile, AL
It is 998 mi between Des Moines and Mobile β roughly 19h 11m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 6 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.
998 mi Β· 19h 11m by car Β· IA β MO β AR β TN β MS β AL
Distance & route
| Route through | IA β MO β AR β TN β MS β AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 55, US 45, IA 163 |
| Major cities en route | St Louis, Memphis |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Des Moines | Mobile | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.701 | 88.098 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.585 | 84.185 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.73 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 84.741 | 60.116 | 100.0 |
Des Moines and Mobile sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in Mobile run about 3.9% cheaper β ZHVI $208,166 β $194,564 (2026-03).
YoY change: Des Moines +0.8%, Mobile -2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Des Moines | Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 69Β°F |
| January avg low | 14Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 86Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 36.5" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 36.6" | 60.5" |
Annual average temperature jumps 18.2Β°F β 50.9Β°F in Des Moines vs 69.1Β°F in Mobile, per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DES MOINES INTL AP, IA US, MOBILE DWTN AP, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Des Moines | Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 185,097 |
| Median household income | $63,966 | $51,090 |
| Median age | 34.6 | 37.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.9% | 20% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.39 |
Mobile households earn about 3.9% less than Des Moines at the median β $63,966 β $51,090 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Mobile MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 20,320 | $36,270 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 19,630 | $37,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 16,350 | $31,060 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 14,680 | $23,720 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 12,550 | $64,370 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Iowa and Alabama
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Alabama'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-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Mobile average 92Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Mobile averages 60.5 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (18.2Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Hurricane season runs June through November on the Gulf Coast.
- 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 Alabama after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Des Moines vs Mobile?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,090 in Mobile vs $63,966 in Des Moines β a 20.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Mobile more expensive than Des Moines?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Mobile is 3.9% lower than Des Moines (88.098 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 Mobile?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 998 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 Mobile compare to Des Moines?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,660 in the Mobile MSA vs $49,550 in the Des Moines MSA, on total employment of 169,730 and 383,190 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Mobile compared to Des Moines?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $194,564 in Mobile vs $208,166 in Des Moines β a 6.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Mobile, AL from Des Moines, IA?
The driving distance is 998 mi and the route typically takes 19h 11m via I 55 and US 45. The trip crosses 6 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 Β· Mobile, AL.