Moving from West Palm Beach, FL to Cedar Rapids, IA
It is 1430 mi between West Palm Beach and Cedar Rapids β roughly 26h 34m 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.
1430 mi Β· 26h 34m by car Β· IA β MO β IL β KY β TN β GA β FL
Distance & route
| Route through | IA β MO β IL β KY β TN β GA β FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 75, I 24, GA 540 |
| Major cities en route | St Louis, Clarksville, Murfreesboro, Chattanooga, Sandy Springs |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| West Palm Beach | Cedar Rapids | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 114.155 | 88.963 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 97.235 | 83.981 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.556 | 93.73 | 100.0 |
| Services | 155.551 | 71.447 | 100.0 |
You are looking at a 22.1% cheaper overall price level β 114.155 β 88.963 on the latest BEA Regional Price Parities.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
22.1% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: West Palm Beach -3.1%, Cedar Rapids +2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | West Palm Beach | Cedar Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 76Β°F | 48Β°F |
| January avg low | 58Β°F | 11Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 83Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 61.7" | 35.9" |
Annual average temperature gap of 27.5Β°F β a meaningful climate change across the move.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WEST PALM BEACH INTL AP, FL US, CEDAR RAPIDS MUNI AP, IA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | West Palm Beach | Cedar Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,508 | 136,859 |
| Median household income | $69,261 | $67,859 |
| Median age | 40.2 | 36.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.4% | 22.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.37 | 2.32 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
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 Florida 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-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
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 (27.5Β°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 far is Cedar Rapids, IA from West Palm Beach, FL?
The driving distance is 1430 mi and the route typically takes 26h 34m via I 75 and I 24. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from West Palm Beach 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 1430 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 Cedar Rapids compare to West Palm Beach?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,670 in the Cedar Rapids MSA vs $46,510 in the West Palm Beach MSA, on total employment of 140,020 and 2,721,490 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Cedar Rapids more expensive than West Palm Beach?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Cedar Rapids is 22.1% lower than West Palm Beach (88.963 vs 114.155, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in West Palm Beach vs Cedar Rapids?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,859 in Cedar Rapids vs $69,261 in West Palm Beach β a 2.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Cedar Rapids compared to West Palm Beach?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $204,112 in Cedar Rapids vs $399,471 in West Palm Beach β a 48.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from West Palm Beach.
City profiles: West Palm Beach, FL Β· Cedar Rapids, IA.