Moving from Des Moines, IA to Santa Clara, CA
A 1829 mi cross-country move between Des Moines and Santa Clara is 31h 17m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 6 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1829 mi Β· 31h 17m by car Β· IA β NE β WY β UT β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | IA β NE β WY β UT β NV β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 80 EXPRESS, I 680 |
| Major cities en route | Omaha, Lincoln, Salt Lake City, West Valley City, West Jordan |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Des Moines | Santa Clara | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.701 | 110.423 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.585 | 156.659 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.73 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 84.741 | 211.901 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP climbs from 91.701 in Des Moines to 110.423 in Santa Clara, putting overall prices 20.4% above the origin.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 20.4% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $208,166 to $1,782,192 moving to Santa Clara.
YoY change: Des Moines +0.8%, Santa Clara -1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Des Moines | Santa Clara |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 61Β°F |
| January avg low | 14Β°F | 42Β°F |
| July avg high | 86Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 36.5" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 36.6" | 13.5" |
Annual temperature rises 9.8Β°F moving to Santa Clara per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DES MOINES INTL AP, IA US, SAN JOSE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Des Moines | Santa Clara |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 129,239 |
| Median household income | $63,966 | $173,670 |
| Median age | 34.6 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.9% | 31.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.66 |
Santa Clara households earn about 20.4% more than Des Moines at the median β $63,966 β $173,670 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Santa Clara MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Mathematical Occupations | 161,790 | $175,110 |
| Management Occupations | 119,300 | $206,650 |
| Software Developers | 96,590 | $199,100 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 93,740 | $59,850 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 90,500 | $120,970 |
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
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 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-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: Santa Clara sees only 13.5 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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
How much do homes cost in Santa Clara compared to Des Moines?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,782,192 in Santa Clara vs $208,166 in Des Moines β a 756.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Des Moines vs Santa Clara?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $173,670 in Santa Clara vs $63,966 in Des Moines β a 171.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Santa Clara more expensive than Des Moines?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Santa Clara is 20.4% higher than Des Moines (110.423 vs 91.701, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Santa Clara compare to Des Moines?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $81,470 in the Santa Clara MSA vs $49,550 in the Des Moines MSA, on total employment of 1,141,820 and 383,190 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Santa Clara, CA from Des Moines, IA?
The driving distance is 1829 mi and the route typically takes 31h 17m via I 80 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Des Moines to Santa Clara?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1829 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· Santa Clara, CA.