Moving from Independence, MO to Des Moines, IA
Moving from Independence, MO to Des Moines, IA covers 190 mi and about 3h 44m by car through 2 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
190 mi · 3h 44m by car · IA → MO
Distance & route
| Route through | IA → MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, MO 291, MO 78 |
| Major cities en route | Kansas City, Kansas City, Overland Park, Olathe, Lee S Summit |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Independence | Des Moines | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.543 | 91.701 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.034 | 84.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.12 | 93.73 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.642 | 84.741 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Des Moines and Independence is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home values in Independence and Des Moines are within 5% of each other ($208,158 vs $208,166 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Independence +2.6%, Des Moines +0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Independence | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54°F | 51°F |
| January avg low | 19°F | 14°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 13.2" | 36.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 44.7" | 36.6" |
Annual average temperatures in Independence (54.0°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: INDEPENDENCE, MO US, DES MOINES INTL AP, IA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Independence | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 212,464 |
| Median household income | $59,480 | $63,966 |
| Median age | 38.4 | 34.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 13.7% | 19.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.39 | 2.36 |
Median household income in Des Moines is 0.9% above Independence ($59,480 → $63,966, ACS 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 Missouri 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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Des Moines averages 36.5 in annually vs 13.2 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- 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
How does the job market in Des Moines compare to Independence?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,550 in the Des Moines MSA vs $48,040 in the Independence MSA, on total employment of 383,190 and 1,078,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Independence vs Des Moines?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,966 in Des Moines vs $59,480 in Independence — a 7.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Des Moines, IA from Independence, MO?
The driving distance is 190 mi and the route typically takes 3h 44m via I 35 and MO 291. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Independence and Des Moines?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.9°F in Des Moines vs 54.0°F in Independence (3.1°F colder). Annual snowfall: 36.5 in vs 13.2 in. Annual precipitation: 36.6 in vs 44.7 in.
Is Des Moines more expensive than Independence?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Des Moines is 0.9% lower than Independence (91.701 vs 92.543, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Independence 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 190 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — 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 Independence.
City profiles: Independence, MO · Des Moines, IA.