Moving from Des Moines, IA to Westminster, CO
It is 672 mi between Des Moines and Westminster — roughly 11h 40m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 3 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.
672 mi · 11h 40m by car · IA → NE → CO
Distance & route
| Route through | IA → NE → CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80 EXPRESS, I 76, I 80 |
| Major cities en route | Omaha, Lincoln, Greeley, Thornton, Aurora |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Des Moines | Westminster | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.701 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.585 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.73 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 84.741 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 15.4% above Des Moines — 91.701 → 105.782 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
15.4% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Des Moines +0.8%, Westminster -3.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Des Moines | Westminster |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51°F | 52°F |
| January avg low | 14°F | 19°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 36.5" | 44.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 36.6" | 14.5" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Heavy-snow city: expect 44.8 in of snowfall annually at Westminster.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: DES MOINES INTL AP, IA US, NORTHGLENN, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Des Moines | Westminster |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 115,546 |
| Median household income | $63,966 | $96,145 |
| Median age | 34.6 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.9% | 29.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.41 |
Westminster households earn about 15.4% more than Des Moines at the median — $63,966 → $96,145 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Westminster MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 173,910 | $49,000 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 172,890 | $48,280 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 164,250 | $84,370 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 140,150 | $36,010 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 129,510 | $45,350 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Iowa and Colorado
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Colorado'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
- 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
- Winter gear first: Westminster averages 44.8 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Westminster average 91°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Westminster sees only 14.5 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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 Colorado after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Westminster compare to Des Moines?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Westminster MSA vs $49,550 in the Des Moines MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 383,190 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Westminster more expensive than Des Moines?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Westminster is 15.4% higher than Des Moines (105.782 vs 91.701, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Westminster compared to Des Moines?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $527,654 in Westminster vs $208,166 in Des Moines — a 153.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Des Moines vs Westminster?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $96,145 in Westminster vs $63,966 in Des Moines — a 50.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Westminster, CO from Des Moines, IA?
The driving distance is 672 mi and the route typically takes 11h 40m via I 80 EXPRESS and I 76. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Des Moines to Westminster?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 672 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Des Moines and Westminster?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 52.4°F in Westminster vs 50.9°F in Des Moines (1.5°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 44.8 in vs 36.5 in. Annual precipitation: 14.5 in vs 36.6 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Des Moines.
City profiles: Des Moines, IA · Westminster, CO.