Moving from Salem, OR to Cedar Rapids, IA
Cross-country relocations like Salem, OR β Cedar Rapids, IA cover 1953 mi and about 33h 45m of driving through 6 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1953 mi Β· 33h 45m by car Β· OR β ID β UT β WY β NE β IA
Distance & route
| Route through | OR β ID β UT β WY β NE β IA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 84, US 30 |
| Major cities en route | Hillsboro, Portland, Vancouver, Gresham, Nampa |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Salem | Cedar Rapids | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.649 | 88.963 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 104.689 | 83.981 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.261 | 93.73 | 100.0 |
| Services | 110.333 | 71.447 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Cedar Rapids are 14.2% below Salem β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Cedar Rapids typical home at $204,112 is 14.2% under Salem at $436,318 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Salem +0.5%, Cedar Rapids +2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Salem | Cedar Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 48Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 11Β°F |
| July avg high | 84Β°F | 83Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 40.1" | 35.9" |
Climate cools by 5.8Β°F on the annual average β 54.1Β°F β 48.3Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SALEM MCNARY FLD, OR US, CEDAR RAPIDS MUNI AP, IA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Salem | Cedar Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,666 | 136,859 |
| Median household income | $71,900 | $67,859 |
| Median age | 35.7 | 36.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.3% | 22.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.64 | 2.32 |
Income steps down 14.2%: $71,900 in Salem vs $67,859 in Cedar Rapids.
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 Oregon 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
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- 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-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
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
When is the best time to move from Salem 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 1953 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Salem vs Cedar Rapids?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,859 in Cedar Rapids vs $71,900 in Salem β a 5.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Cedar Rapids, IA from Salem, OR?
The driving distance is 1953 mi and the route typically takes 33h 45m via I 80 and I 84. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Cedar Rapids compare to Salem?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,670 in the Cedar Rapids MSA vs $48,750 in the Salem MSA, on total employment of 140,020 and 181,870 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Cedar Rapids more expensive than Salem?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Cedar Rapids is 14.2% lower than Salem (88.963 vs 103.649, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Cedar Rapids compared to Salem?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $204,112 in Cedar Rapids vs $436,318 in Salem β a 53.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Salem.
City profiles: Salem, OR Β· Cedar Rapids, IA.