Moving from Jacksonville, FL to Cedar Rapids, IA
A move from Jacksonville, FL to Cedar Rapids, IA covers 1182 mi and around 22h 8m of driving through 7 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
1182 mi Β· 22h 8m by car Β· FL β GA β TN β KY β IL β MO β IA
Distance & route
| Route through | FL β GA β TN β KY β IL β MO β IA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 75, I 24, US 61 |
| Major cities en route | South Fulton, Atlanta, Sandy Springs, Chattanooga, Murfreesboro |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Jacksonville | Cedar Rapids | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 99.484 | 88.963 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.514 | 83.981 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.24 | 93.73 | 100.0 |
| Services | 109.777 | 71.447 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Cedar Rapids are 10.6% below Jacksonville β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Cedar Rapids typical home at $204,112 is 10.6% under Jacksonville at $282,895 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Jacksonville -3.1%, Cedar Rapids +2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Jacksonville | Cedar Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71Β°F | 48Β°F |
| January avg low | 47Β°F | 11Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 83Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 47.6" | 35.9" |
NOAA normals show Cedar Rapids running 23.1Β°F below Jacksonville on the annual mean.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: JACKSONVILLE NAS, FL US, CEDAR RAPIDS MUNI AP, IA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Jacksonville | Cedar Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 961,739 | 136,859 |
| Median household income | $66,981 | $67,859 |
| Median age | 36.4 | 36.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.6% | 22.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 2.32 |
Household income lines up β $66,981 vs $67,859 on ACS 5-year 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 Florida 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
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (23.1Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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 Jacksonville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,670 in the Cedar Rapids MSA vs $45,420 in the Jacksonville MSA, on total employment of 140,020 and 740,520 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Cedar Rapids compared to Jacksonville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $204,112 in Cedar Rapids vs $282,895 in Jacksonville β a 27.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Cedar Rapids, IA from Jacksonville, FL?
The driving distance is 1182 mi and the route typically takes 22h 8m via I 75 and I 24. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Jacksonville 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 1182 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 Jacksonville vs Cedar Rapids?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,859 in Cedar Rapids vs $66,981 in Jacksonville β a 1.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Cedar Rapids more expensive than Jacksonville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Cedar Rapids is 10.6% lower than Jacksonville (88.963 vs 99.484, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Jacksonville.
City profiles: Jacksonville, FL Β· Cedar Rapids, IA.