Moving from Orange, CA to Des Moines, IA
Moving from Orange, CA to Des Moines, IA is a 1681 mi cross-country relocation — about 29h 12m of driving through 7 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
1681 mi · 29h 12m by car · IA → NE → CO → UT → AZ → NV → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | IA → NE → CO → UT → AZ → NV → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 80 EXPRESS, I 15 |
| Major cities en route | Omaha, Lincoln, Greeley, Thornton, Denver |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Orange | Des Moines | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 91.701 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 84.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 93.73 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 84.741 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 113.566 to 91.701, putting Des Moines roughly 19.3% below Orange on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Des Moines: 19.3% below Orange on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Orange +0.5%, Des Moines +0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Orange | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 51°F |
| January avg low | 49°F | 14°F |
| July avg high | 83°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 36.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.5" | 36.6" |
Major climate step-down: 15.2°F cooler annual average in Des Moines vs Orange.
Heavy-snow city: expect 36.5 in of snowfall annually at Des Moines.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SANTA ANA FIRE STN, CA US, DES MOINES INTL AP, IA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Orange | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,723 | 212,464 |
| Median household income | $116,945 | $63,966 |
| Median age | 36.9 | 34.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.9% | 19.9% |
| Avg household size | 3.09 | 2.36 |
Median household income in Des Moines is 19.3% below Orange ($116,945 vs $63,966, 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 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 — 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.
- 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
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Des Moines averages 36.5 in annually vs 0.0 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (15.2°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 — 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 Orange and Des Moines?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.9°F in Des Moines vs 66.1°F in Orange (15.2°F colder). Annual snowfall: 36.5 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 36.6 in vs 12.5 in.
When is the best time to move from Orange 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 1681 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Des Moines, IA from Orange, CA?
The driving distance is 1681 mi and the route typically takes 29h 12m via I 70 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Des Moines compare to Orange?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,550 in the Des Moines MSA vs $50,490 in the Orange MSA, on total employment of 383,190 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Des Moines more expensive than Orange?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Des Moines is 19.3% lower than Orange (91.701 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Orange vs Des Moines?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,966 in Des Moines vs $116,945 in Orange — a 45.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Des Moines compared to Orange?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $208,166 in Des Moines vs $1,143,788 in Orange — a 81.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Orange.
City profiles: Orange, CA · Des Moines, IA.