Moving from Renton, WA to Cedar Rapids, IA
It is 1829 mi and 32h 3m from Renton to Cedar Rapids β a cross-country move across 6 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.
1829 mi Β· 32h 3m by car Β· IA β MN β SD β MT β ID β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | IA β MN β SD β MT β ID β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, US 212, IA 27 |
| Major cities en route | Sioux Falls, Billings, Spokane Valley, Spokane, Bellevue |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Renton | Cedar Rapids | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 88.963 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 83.981 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 93.73 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 71.447 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 19.9% cheaper overall in Cedar Rapids than Renton on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
19.9% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Renton -2.1%, Cedar Rapids +2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Renton | Cedar Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 48Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 11Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 83Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 34.7" | 35.9" |
Expect 5.3Β°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RENTON MUNI AP, WA US, CEDAR RAPIDS MUNI AP, IA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Renton | Cedar Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,279 | 136,859 |
| Median household income | $96,626 | $67,859 |
| Median age | 36.5 | 36.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.4% | 22.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.55 | 2.32 |
Expect median household income to fall 19.9% β $96,626 β $67,859 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 Washington 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-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms β check MnDOT 511.
- I-90 across western South Dakota can close in ground blizzards β check SD 511 November through April.
- Montana interstates can close without notice in winter storms β check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- 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
Is Cedar Rapids more expensive than Renton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Cedar Rapids is 19.9% lower than Renton (88.963 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Renton 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 1829 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Cedar Rapids compare to Renton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,670 in the Cedar Rapids MSA vs $65,260 in the Renton MSA, on total employment of 140,020 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Cedar Rapids, IA from Renton, WA?
The driving distance is 1829 mi and the route typically takes 32h 3m via I 90 and US 212. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Cedar Rapids compared to Renton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $204,112 in Cedar Rapids vs $764,375 in Renton β a 73.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Renton vs Cedar Rapids?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,859 in Cedar Rapids vs $96,626 in Renton β a 29.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Renton.
City profiles: Renton, WA Β· Cedar Rapids, IA.