Moving from Pasadena, CA to Des Moines, IA
It is 1676 mi and 29h 7m from Pasadena to Des Moines — a cross-country move across 7 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1676 mi · 29h 7m 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, Denver, Aurora |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Pasadena | 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 |
Expect about 19.3% lower overall cost of living — BEA RPP 2024 has Des Moines at 91.701 vs Pasadena at 113.566.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 19.3% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $1,209,228 to $208,166 moving to Des Moines.
YoY change: Pasadena -1.0%, Des Moines +0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Pasadena | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 51°F |
| January avg low | 46°F | 14°F |
| July avg high | 89°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 36.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 20.1" | 36.6" |
Expect 15.1°F colder on average per year — plan for heating load and winter gear.
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: PASADENA, CA US, DES MOINES INTL AP, IA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Pasadena | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,462 | 212,464 |
| Median household income | $103,778 | $63,966 |
| Median age | 40.1 | 34.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30% | 19.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.39 | 2.36 |
Expect median household income to fall 19.3% — $103,778 → $63,966 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 (15.1°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
How does the job market in Des Moines compare to Pasadena?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,550 in the Des Moines MSA vs $50,490 in the Pasadena 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.
How far is Des Moines, IA from Pasadena, CA?
The driving distance is 1676 mi and the route typically takes 29h 7m via I 70 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Pasadena and Des Moines?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.9°F in Des Moines vs 66.0°F in Pasadena (15.1°F colder). Annual snowfall: 36.5 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 36.6 in vs 20.1 in.
When is the best time to move from Pasadena 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 1676 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 Pasadena?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $208,166 in Des Moines vs $1,209,228 in Pasadena — a 82.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Pasadena vs Des Moines?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,966 in Des Moines vs $103,778 in Pasadena — a 38.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Des Moines more expensive than Pasadena?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Des Moines is 19.3% lower than Pasadena (91.701 vs 113.566, 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 Pasadena.
City profiles: Pasadena, CA · Des Moines, IA.