Moving from Santa Maria, CA to Cedar Rapids, IA
A 1928 mi cross-country move between Santa Maria and Cedar Rapids is 34h 17m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 7 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1928 mi Β· 34h 17m by car Β· IA β NE β CO β UT β AZ β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | IA β NE β CO β UT β AZ β NV β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 80 EXPRESS, I 15 |
| Major cities en route | Des Moines, Omaha, Lincoln, Greeley, Aurora |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Maria | Cedar Rapids | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.798 | 88.963 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 149.807 | 83.981 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 93.73 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.394 | 71.447 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 18.2% moving from Santa Maria to Cedar Rapids β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $658,011 in Santa Maria to $204,112 in Cedar Rapids, a 18.2% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Santa Maria +1.5%, Cedar Rapids +2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Santa Maria | Cedar Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 48Β°F |
| January avg low | 41Β°F | 11Β°F |
| July avg high | 73Β°F | 83Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 13.3" | 35.9" |
Annual temperature drops 10.3Β°F moving to Cedar Rapids per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANTA MARIA PUBLIC AP, CA US, CEDAR RAPIDS MUNI AP, IA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Maria | Cedar Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 109,880 | 136,859 |
| Median household income | $84,617 | $67,859 |
| Median age | 29.3 | 36.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 11.2% | 22.2% |
| Avg household size | 3.78 | 2.32 |
Households in Cedar Rapids earn about 18.2% less at the median β ACS 5-year 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 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 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
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β 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 noticeably colder climate (10.3Β°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 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
How does the job market in Cedar Rapids compare to Santa Maria?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,670 in the Cedar Rapids MSA vs $48,280 in the Santa Maria MSA, on total employment of 140,020 and 202,410 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Santa Maria vs Cedar Rapids?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,859 in Cedar Rapids vs $84,617 in Santa Maria β a 19.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Cedar Rapids, IA from Santa Maria, CA?
The driving distance is 1928 mi and the route typically takes 34h 17m via I 70 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Cedar Rapids compared to Santa Maria?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $204,112 in Cedar Rapids vs $658,011 in Santa Maria β a 69.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Cedar Rapids more expensive than Santa Maria?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Cedar Rapids is 18.2% lower than Santa Maria (88.963 vs 108.798, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Santa Maria 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 1928 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Santa Maria.
City profiles: Santa Maria, CA Β· Cedar Rapids, IA.