Moving from Kansas City, KS to Des Moines, IA
Relocating between Kansas City, KS and Des Moines, IA is a 198 mi drive — 3h 51m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
198 mi · 3h 51m by car · IA → MO → KS
Distance & route
| Route through | IA → MO → KS |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, I 635, IA 5 |
| Major cities en route | Independence, Lee S Summit, Kansas City, Overland Park, Olathe |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Kansas City | 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 price level is comparable — 92.543 vs 91.701 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 0.9% higher home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Kansas City +1.0%, Des Moines +0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Kansas City | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 57°F | 51°F |
| January avg low | 22°F | 14°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 11.0" | 36.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.1" | 36.6" |
Expect 6.0°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 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: KANSAS CITY DOWNTOWN AP, MO US, DES MOINES INTL AP, IA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Kansas City | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,776 | 212,464 |
| Median household income | $59,183 | $63,966 |
| Median age | 34 | 34.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.6% | 19.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.36 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 0.9% higher in Des Moines than Kansas City.
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 Kansas 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 11.0 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
What is the climate difference between Kansas City and Des Moines?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.9°F in Des Moines vs 56.9°F in Kansas City (6.0°F colder). Annual snowfall: 36.5 in vs 11.0 in. Annual precipitation: 36.6 in vs 38.1 in.
How does the job market in Des Moines compare to Kansas City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,550 in the Des Moines MSA vs $48,040 in the Kansas City 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 Kansas City vs Des Moines?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,966 in Des Moines vs $59,183 in Kansas City — a 8.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Des Moines more expensive than Kansas City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Des Moines is 0.9% lower than Kansas City (91.701 vs 92.543, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Des Moines, IA from Kansas City, KS?
The driving distance is 198 mi and the route typically takes 3h 51m via I 35 and I 635. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Kansas City 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 198 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Des Moines compared to Kansas City?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $208,166 in Des Moines vs $198,195 in Kansas City — a 5.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Kansas City.
City profiles: Kansas City, KS · Des Moines, IA.