Moving from Spokane Valley, WA to Des Moines, IA
It is 1471 mi between Spokane Valley and Des Moines β roughly 25h 18m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 6 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.
1471 mi Β· 25h 18m by car Β· IA β SD β WY β MT β ID β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | IA β SD β WY β MT β ID β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, US 212, I 29 |
| Major cities en route | Omaha, Sioux Falls, Billings, Spokane |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Spokane Valley | Des Moines | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.346 | 91.701 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 91.196 | 84.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.028 | 93.73 | 100.0 |
| Services | 97.059 | 84.741 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 8.6% cheaper overall in Des Moines than Spokane Valley on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
8.6% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Spokane Valley +0.7%, Des Moines +0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Spokane Valley | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 26Β°F | 14Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 86Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 36.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 17.4" | 36.6" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Heavy-snow city: expect 36.5 in of snowfall annually at Des Moines.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SPOKANE FELTS FLD, WA US, DES MOINES INTL AP, IA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Spokane Valley | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,460 | 212,464 |
| Median household income | $70,722 | $63,966 |
| Median age | 37.6 | 34.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.7% | 19.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.47 | 2.36 |
Households in Des Moines earn about 8.6% less at the median β 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 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-90 across western South Dakota can close in ground blizzards β check SD 511 November through April.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- 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
- 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 does household income compare in Spokane Valley vs Des Moines?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,966 in Des Moines vs $70,722 in Spokane Valley β a 9.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Des Moines compared to Spokane Valley?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $208,166 in Des Moines vs $408,888 in Spokane Valley β a 49.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Des Moines, IA from Spokane Valley, WA?
The driving distance is 1471 mi and the route typically takes 25h 18m via I 90 and US 212. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Spokane Valley 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 1471 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 Des Moines compare to Spokane Valley?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,550 in the Des Moines MSA vs $48,920 in the Spokane Valley MSA, on total employment of 383,190 and 255,160 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Des Moines more expensive than Spokane Valley?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Des Moines is 8.6% lower than Spokane Valley (91.701 vs 100.346, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Spokane Valley.
City profiles: Spokane Valley, WA Β· Des Moines, IA.