Moving from Des Moines, IA to Richardson, TX
It is 679 mi between Des Moines and Richardson β roughly 12h 43m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 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.
679 mi Β· 12h 43m by car Β· IA β MO β OK β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | IA β MO β OK β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 69, I 35, I 49 |
| Major cities en route | Kansas City, Kansas City, Independence, Lee S Summit, Overland Park |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Des Moines | Richardson | 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 |
Overall prices come in 12.4% above Des Moines β 91.701 β 103.09 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
12.4% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Des Moines +0.8%, Richardson -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Des Moines | Richardson |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 14Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 86Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 36.5" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 36.6" | 41.9" |
Annual temperature rises 14.9Β°F moving to Richardson per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DES MOINES INTL AP, IA US, RICHARDSON, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Des Moines | Richardson |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 118,269 |
| Median household income | $63,966 | $96,257 |
| Median age | 34.6 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.9% | 33.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.6 |
Richardson households earn about 12.4% more than Des Moines at the median β $63,966 β $96,257 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Richardson 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 Richardson average 94Β°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 (14.9Β°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
How much do homes cost in Richardson compared to Des Moines?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $440,400 in Richardson vs $208,166 in Des Moines β a 111.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Des Moines vs Richardson?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $96,257 in Richardson vs $63,966 in Des Moines β a 50.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Richardson compare to Des Moines?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Richardson 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 far is Richardson, TX from Des Moines, IA?
The driving distance is 679 mi and the route typically takes 12h 43m via US 69 and I 35. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Richardson more expensive than Des Moines?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Richardson 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.
When is the best time to move from Des Moines to Richardson?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 679 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· Richardson, TX.