Moving from Greeley, CO to Des Moines, IA
It is 648 mi between Greeley and Des Moines — roughly 11h 39m 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.
648 mi · 11h 39m 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, Fort Collins |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Greeley | Des Moines | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.176 | 91.701 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 81.997 | 84.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.052 | 93.73 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.599 | 84.741 | 100.0 |
Expect about 8.5% lower overall cost of living — BEA RPP 2024 has Des Moines at 91.701 vs Greeley at 100.176.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 8.5% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $420,464 to $208,166 moving to Des Moines.
YoY change: Greeley -1.6%, Des Moines +0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Greeley | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52°F | 51°F |
| January avg low | 18°F | 14°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 34.9" | 36.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 14.7" | 36.6" |
Annual average temperatures in Greeley (52.1°F) and Des Moines (50.9°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Des Moines averages 36.5 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: GREELEY UNC, CO US, DES MOINES INTL AP, IA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Greeley | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 109,421 | 212,464 |
| Median household income | $68,650 | $63,966 |
| Median age | 32.5 | 34.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.9% | 19.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.81 | 2.36 |
Households in Des Moines earn about 8.5% less at the median — ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Des Moines MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 48,550 | $46,670 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 35,680 | $36,420 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 34,890 | $78,150 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 33,360 | $45,430 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 30,210 | $30,100 |
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 — 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: Des Moines averages 36.5 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Tornado season runs April through June — 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
When is the best time to move from Greeley to Des Moines?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 648 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Greeley and Des Moines?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.9°F in Des Moines vs 52.1°F in Greeley (1.2°F colder). Annual snowfall: 36.5 in vs 34.9 in. Annual precipitation: 36.6 in vs 14.7 in.
How does the job market in Des Moines compare to Greeley?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,550 in the Des Moines MSA vs $50,140 in the Greeley MSA, on total employment of 383,190 and 111,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Des Moines more expensive than Greeley?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Des Moines is 8.5% lower than Greeley (91.701 vs 100.176, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Des Moines, IA from Greeley, CO?
The driving distance is 648 mi and the route typically takes 11h 39m via I 80 EXPRESS and I 76. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Greeley vs Des Moines?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,966 in Des Moines vs $68,650 in Greeley — a 6.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Des Moines compared to Greeley?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $208,166 in Des Moines vs $420,464 in Greeley — a 50.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Greeley.
City profiles: Greeley, CO · Des Moines, IA.