Moving from Santa Maria, CA to Des Moines, IA
Cross-country relocations like Santa Maria, CA β Des Moines, IA cover 1813 mi and about 32h 4m of driving through 7 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.
1813 mi Β· 32h 4m 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 | Omaha, Lincoln, Greeley, Denver, Aurora |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Maria | Des Moines | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.798 | 91.701 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 149.807 | 84.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 93.73 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.394 | 84.741 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 108.798 to 91.701, putting Des Moines roughly 15.7% below Santa Maria on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Des Moines: 15.7% below Santa Maria on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Santa Maria +1.5%, Des Moines +0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Santa Maria | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 41Β°F | 14Β°F |
| July avg high | 73Β°F | 86Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 36.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 13.3" | 36.6" |
Climate cools by 7.7Β°F on the annual average β 58.6Β°F β 50.9Β°F.
Heavy-snow city: expect 36.5 in of snowfall annually at Des Moines.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANTA MARIA PUBLIC AP, CA US, DES MOINES INTL AP, IA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Maria | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 109,880 | 212,464 |
| Median household income | $84,617 | $63,966 |
| Median age | 29.3 | 34.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 11.2% | 19.9% |
| Avg household size | 3.78 | 2.36 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 15.7% between Santa Maria and Des Moines (ACS 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 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
- Winter gear first: Des Moines averages 36.5 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- 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 far is Des Moines, IA from Santa Maria, CA?
The driving distance is 1813 mi and the route typically takes 32h 4m via I 70 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Santa Maria vs Des Moines?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,966 in Des Moines vs $84,617 in Santa Maria β a 24.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Santa Maria to Des Moines?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1813 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Des Moines more expensive than Santa Maria?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Des Moines is 15.7% lower than Santa Maria (91.701 vs 108.798, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Des Moines compare to Santa Maria?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,550 in the Des Moines MSA vs $48,280 in the Santa Maria MSA, on total employment of 383,190 and 202,410 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Des Moines compared to Santa Maria?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $208,166 in Des Moines vs $658,011 in Santa Maria β a 68.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
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· Des Moines, IA.