Moving from Des Moines, IA to Tuscaloosa, AL
It is 846 mi between Des Moines and Tuscaloosa β roughly 16h 15m 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.
846 mi Β· 16h 15m 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 78, 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 | Tuscaloosa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.701 | 87.722 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.585 | 84.396 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.73 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 84.741 | 58.246 | 100.0 |
Des Moines and Tuscaloosa 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 Tuscaloosa run about 4.3% pricier β ZHVI $208,166 β $228,947 (2026-03).
YoY change: Des Moines +0.8%, Tuscaloosa +1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Des Moines | Tuscaloosa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 14Β°F | 35Β°F |
| July avg high | 86Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 36.5" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 36.6" | 57.3" |
Annual temperature rises 13.4Β°F moving to Tuscaloosa per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DES MOINES INTL AP, IA US, NORTHPORT 2 S, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Des Moines | Tuscaloosa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 107,699 |
| Median household income | $63,966 | $48,536 |
| Median age | 34.6 | 28.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.9% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.68 |
Tuscaloosa households earn about 4.3% less than Des Moines at the median β $63,966 β $48,536 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Tuscaloosa MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Production Occupations | 15,750 | $48,310 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 9,940 | $37,980 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 9,860 | $25,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 9,250 | $36,980 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 8,780 | $29,460 |
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 Tuscaloosa 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: Tuscaloosa averages 57.3 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (13.4Β°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 much do homes cost in Tuscaloosa compared to Des Moines?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $228,947 in Tuscaloosa vs $208,166 in Des Moines β a 10.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Tuscaloosa, AL from Des Moines, IA?
The driving distance is 846 mi and the route typically takes 16h 15m via I 55 and US 78. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Tuscaloosa compare to Des Moines?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,690 in the Tuscaloosa MSA vs $49,550 in the Des Moines MSA, on total employment of 103,520 and 383,190 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Tuscaloosa more expensive than Des Moines?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tuscaloosa is 4.3% lower than Des Moines (87.722 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 Tuscaloosa?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 846 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Des Moines vs Tuscaloosa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,536 in Tuscaloosa vs $63,966 in Des Moines β a 24.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
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· Tuscaloosa, AL.