Moving from Salt Lake City, UT to Des Moines, IA
It is 1069 mi between Salt Lake City and Des Moines — roughly 18h 10m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1069 mi · 18h 10m by car · IA → NE → WY → UT
Distance & route
| Route through | IA → NE → WY → UT |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 80 EXPRESS, I 235 |
| Major cities en route | Omaha, Lincoln, West Jordan, West Valley City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Salt Lake City | Des Moines | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.868 | 91.701 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 79 | 84.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.446 | 93.73 | 100.0 |
| Services | 123.311 | 84.741 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 9.1% moving from Salt Lake City to Des Moines — meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $573,181 in Salt Lake City to $208,166 in Des Moines, a 9.1% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Salt Lake City +1.6%, Des Moines +0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Salt Lake City | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56°F | 51°F |
| January avg low | 28°F | 14°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 49.0" | 36.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 17.7" | 36.6" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 55.8°F vs 50.9°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Des Moines sees 36.5 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SALT LAKE TRIAD CTR, UT US, DES MOINES INTL AP, IA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Salt Lake City | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 203,888 | 212,464 |
| Median household income | $74,925 | $63,966 |
| Median age | 33 | 34.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.9% | 19.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.29 | 2.36 |
Households in Des Moines earn about 9.1% less at the median — 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 Utah 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
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — check WYDOT 511 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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Des Moines averages 36.5 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- 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
When is the best time to move from Salt Lake 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 1069 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 Salt Lake City?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $208,166 in Des Moines vs $573,181 in Salt Lake City — a 63.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Salt Lake City and Des Moines?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.9°F in Des Moines vs 55.8°F in Salt Lake City (4.9°F colder). Annual snowfall: 36.5 in vs 49.0 in. Annual precipitation: 36.6 in vs 17.7 in.
Is Des Moines more expensive than Salt Lake City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Des Moines is 9.1% lower than Salt Lake City (91.701 vs 100.868, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Salt Lake City vs Des Moines?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,966 in Des Moines vs $74,925 in Salt Lake City — a 14.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Des Moines, IA from Salt Lake City, UT?
The driving distance is 1069 mi and the route typically takes 18h 10m via I 80 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Des Moines compare to Salt Lake City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,550 in the Des Moines MSA vs $49,440 in the Salt Lake City MSA, on total employment of 383,190 and 803,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Salt Lake City.
City profiles: Salt Lake City, UT · Des Moines, IA.