Moving from Cedar Rapids, IA to Gresham, OR
A 1892 mi cross-country move between Cedar Rapids and Gresham is 32h 34m 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.
1892 mi Β· 32h 34m by car Β· IA β NE β WY β UT β ID β OR β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | IA β NE β WY β UT β ID β OR β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 84, I 80, I 80 EXPRESS |
| Major cities en route | Des Moines, Omaha, Lincoln, Salt Lake City, Boise City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Cedar Rapids | Gresham | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 88.963 | 105.421 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.981 | 106.974 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.73 | 105.222 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.447 | 125.114 | 100.0 |
Gresham runs about 18.5% more expensive overall than Cedar Rapids β RPP 88.963 β 105.421.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $204,112 in Cedar Rapids to $471,181 in Gresham, a 18.5% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Cedar Rapids +2.8%, Gresham -0.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Cedar Rapids | Gresham |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 48Β°F | 55Β°F |
| January avg low | 11Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 82Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 35.9" | 40.7" |
Annual temperature rises 6.4Β°F moving to Gresham per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CEDAR RAPIDS MUNI AP, IA US, PORTLAND TROUTDALE AP, OR US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Cedar Rapids | Gresham |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 112,818 |
| Median household income | $67,859 | $73,608 |
| Median age | 36.9 | 37.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.2% | 15.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.32 | 2.68 |
Households in Gresham earn about 18.5% more at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Gresham MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 141,870 | $47,870 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 104,880 | $44,260 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 99,580 | $34,860 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 96,250 | $41,260 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 92,520 | $79,400 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Iowa and Oregon
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Oregon'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-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 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.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter 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
- Wildfire season peaks July through September east of the Cascades β register for county emergency alerts.
- 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 Oregon after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Gresham compared to Cedar Rapids?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $471,181 in Gresham vs $204,112 in Cedar Rapids β a 130.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Gresham more expensive than Cedar Rapids?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Gresham is 18.5% higher than Cedar Rapids (105.421 vs 88.963, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Cedar Rapids to Gresham?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1892 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Gresham, OR from Cedar Rapids, IA?
The driving distance is 1892 mi and the route typically takes 32h 34m via I 84 and I 80. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Cedar Rapids vs Gresham?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $73,608 in Gresham vs $67,859 in Cedar Rapids β a 8.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Gresham compare to Cedar Rapids?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $55,940 in the Gresham MSA vs $47,670 in the Cedar Rapids MSA, on total employment of 1,206,150 and 140,020 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Cedar Rapids.
City profiles: Cedar Rapids, IA Β· Gresham, OR.