Moving from Cedar Rapids, IA to Hillsboro, OR
Cross-country relocations like Cedar Rapids, IA β Hillsboro, OR cover 1918 mi and about 33h 10m of driving through 6 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.
1918 mi Β· 33h 10m by car Β· IA β NE β WY β UT β ID β OR
Distance & route
| Route through | IA β NE β WY β UT β ID β OR |
|---|---|
| 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 | Hillsboro | 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 |
Overall cost of living in Hillsboro is 18.5% higher than Cedar Rapids, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Hillsboro is 18.5% above Cedar Rapids β $204,112 vs $522,557 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Cedar Rapids +2.8%, Hillsboro -3.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Cedar Rapids | Hillsboro |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 48Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 11Β°F | 34Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 82Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 35.9" | 35.9" |
Annual average temperatures in Cedar Rapids (48.3Β°F) and Hillsboro (52.5Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CEDAR RAPIDS MUNI AP, IA US, PORTLAND-HILLSBORO AP, OR US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Cedar Rapids | Hillsboro |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 107,050 |
| Median household income | $67,859 | $103,207 |
| Median age | 36.9 | 34.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.2% | 23.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.32 | 2.59 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 18.5% between Cedar Rapids and Hillsboro (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Hillsboro 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.
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 does the job market in Hillsboro compare to Cedar Rapids?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $55,940 in the Hillsboro 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.
How does household income compare in Cedar Rapids vs Hillsboro?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $103,207 in Hillsboro vs $67,859 in Cedar Rapids β a 52.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Cedar Rapids to Hillsboro?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1918 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Hillsboro more expensive than Cedar Rapids?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Hillsboro 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.
How much do homes cost in Hillsboro compared to Cedar Rapids?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $522,557 in Hillsboro vs $204,112 in Cedar Rapids β a 156.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Hillsboro, OR from Cedar Rapids, IA?
The driving distance is 1918 mi and the route typically takes 33h 10m via I 84 and I 80. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
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· Hillsboro, OR.