Moving from Greeley, CO to Cedar Rapids, IA
The drive from Greeley, CO to Cedar Rapids, IA runs 762 mi β about 13h 51m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
762 mi Β· 13h 51m by car Β· IA β NE β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | IA β NE β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80 EXPRESS, I 80, I 76 |
| Major cities en route | Des Moines, Omaha, Lincoln, Fort Collins |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Greeley | Cedar Rapids | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.176 | 88.963 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 81.997 | 83.981 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.052 | 93.73 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.599 | 71.447 | 100.0 |
Cedar Rapids is 11.2% cheaper than Greeley overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Cedar Rapids is 11.2% below Greeley β $420,464 vs $204,112 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Greeley -1.6%, Cedar Rapids +2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Greeley | Cedar Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52Β°F | 48Β°F |
| January avg low | 18Β°F | 11Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 83Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 34.9" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 14.7" | 35.9" |
Annual average temperatures in Greeley (52.1Β°F) and Cedar Rapids (48.3Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: GREELEY UNC, CO US, CEDAR RAPIDS MUNI AP, IA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Greeley | Cedar Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 109,421 | 136,859 |
| Median household income | $68,650 | $67,859 |
| Median age | 32.5 | 36.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.9% | 22.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.81 | 2.32 |
Median household incomes in Greeley ($68,650) and Cedar Rapids ($67,859) are within a few percent (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Cedar Rapids MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 16,490 | $43,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 14,280 | $46,000 |
| Production Occupations | 13,570 | $46,060 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 11,520 | $34,850 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 11,280 | $29,630 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and Iowa
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Iowa'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
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Tornado season runs April through June β identify a safe room or interior space early.
- 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 Iowa after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Cedar Rapids compare to Greeley?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,670 in the Cedar Rapids MSA vs $50,140 in the Greeley MSA, on total employment of 140,020 and 111,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Cedar Rapids, IA from Greeley, CO?
The driving distance is 762 mi and the route typically takes 13h 51m via I 80 EXPRESS and I 80. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Cedar Rapids more expensive than Greeley?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Cedar Rapids is 11.2% lower than Greeley (88.963 vs 100.176, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Cedar Rapids compared to Greeley?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $204,112 in Cedar Rapids vs $420,464 in Greeley β a 51.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Greeley to Cedar Rapids?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 762 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 Greeley vs Cedar Rapids?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,859 in Cedar Rapids vs $68,650 in Greeley β a 1.2% 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 Greeley.
City profiles: Greeley, CO Β· Cedar Rapids, IA.