Moving from Springfield, MA to Des Moines, IA
It is 1222 mi between Springfield and Des Moines β roughly 23h 12m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 7 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.
1222 mi Β· 23h 12m by car Β· IA β IL β IN β OH β PA β NY β MA
Distance & route
| Route through | IA β IL β IN β OH β PA β NY β MA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, I 80, I 271 |
| Major cities en route | Cedar Rapids, Aurora, Joliet, Naperville, Chicago |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Springfield | Des Moines | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 96.061 | 91.701 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 154.996 | 84.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 97.015 | 93.73 | 100.0 |
| Services | 75.781 | 84.741 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
4.5% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Springfield +3.5%, Des Moines +0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Springfield | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 49Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 16Β°F | 14Β°F |
| July avg high | 85Β°F | 86Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 36.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 45.2" | 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: WESTFIELD BARNES MUNI AP, MA US, DES MOINES INTL AP, IA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Springfield | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,751 | 212,464 |
| Median household income | $51,339 | $63,966 |
| Median age | 33.7 | 34.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 10.8% | 19.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.67 | 2.36 |
Des Moines households earn about 4.5% more than Springfield at the median β $51,339 β $63,966 on 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 Massachusetts 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
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- Lake-effect off Lake Ontario can shut down I-81 and I-90 for hours in winter β check 511NY.
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 much do homes cost in Des Moines compared to Springfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $208,166 in Des Moines vs $294,613 in Springfield β a 29.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Des Moines more expensive than Springfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Des Moines is 4.5% lower than Springfield (91.701 vs 96.061, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Springfield vs Des Moines?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,966 in Des Moines vs $51,339 in Springfield β a 24.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Des Moines, IA from Springfield, MA?
The driving distance is 1222 mi and the route typically takes 23h 12m via I 90 and I 80. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Springfield 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 1222 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 Springfield.
City profiles: Springfield, MA Β· Des Moines, IA.