Moving from Jurupa Valley, CA to Des Moines, IA
A 1647 mi cross-country move between Jurupa Valley and Des Moines is 28h 40m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 7 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1647 mi Β· 28h 40m by car Β· IA β NE β CO β UT β AZ β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | IA β NE β CO β UT β AZ β NV β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 80 EXPRESS, I 15 |
| Major cities en route | Omaha, Lincoln, Greeley, Denver, Aurora |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Jurupa Valley | Des Moines | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.442 | 91.701 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.641 | 84.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 101.431 | 93.73 | 100.0 |
| Services | 129.312 | 84.741 | 100.0 |
Expect about 13.8% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Des Moines at 91.701 vs Jurupa Valley at 106.442.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 13.8% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $672,514 to $208,166 moving to Des Moines.
YoY change: Jurupa Valley -0.7%, Des Moines +0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Jurupa Valley | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 44Β°F | 14Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 86Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 36.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 9.4" | 36.6" |
Expect 15.3Β°F colder on average per year β plan for heating load and winter gear.
Des Moines averages 36.5 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RIVERSIDE MUNI AP, CA US, DES MOINES INTL AP, IA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Jurupa Valley | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,244 | 212,464 |
| Median household income | $96,190 | $63,966 |
| Median age | 33.8 | 34.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 10.6% | 19.9% |
| Avg household size | 3.92 | 2.36 |
Des Moines households earn about 13.8% less than Jurupa Valley at the median β $96,190 β $63,966 on 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 California 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.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
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 β pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (15.3Β°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 household income compare in Jurupa Valley vs Des Moines?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,966 in Des Moines vs $96,190 in Jurupa Valley β a 33.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Des Moines compare to Jurupa Valley?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,550 in the Des Moines MSA vs $47,450 in the Jurupa Valley MSA, on total employment of 383,190 and 1,661,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Des Moines compared to Jurupa Valley?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $208,166 in Des Moines vs $672,514 in Jurupa Valley β a 69.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Des Moines more expensive than Jurupa Valley?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Des Moines is 13.8% lower than Jurupa Valley (91.701 vs 106.442, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Des Moines, IA from Jurupa Valley, CA?
The driving distance is 1647 mi and the route typically takes 28h 40m via I 70 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Jurupa Valley to Des Moines?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1647 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β 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 Jurupa Valley.
City profiles: Jurupa Valley, CA Β· Des Moines, IA.