Moving from Cedar Rapids, IA to Inglewood, CA
A 1811 mi cross-country move between Cedar Rapids and Inglewood is 31h 46m 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.
1811 mi Β· 31h 46m by car Β· IA β NE β CO β UT β AZ β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | IA β NE β CO β UT β AZ β NV β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 80 EXPRESS, I 15 |
| Major cities en route | Des Moines, Omaha, Lincoln, Greeley, Aurora |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Cedar Rapids | Inglewood | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 88.963 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.981 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.73 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.447 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Inglewood is 27.7% above Cedar Rapids β one of the larger spreads between U.S. metros.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
27.7% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Cedar Rapids +2.8%, Inglewood +0.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Cedar Rapids | Inglewood |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 48Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 11Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 77Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 35.9" | 11.8" |
Annual average temperature gap of 16.2Β°F β a meaningful climate change across the move.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CEDAR RAPIDS MUNI AP, IA US, HAWTHORNE MUNI AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Cedar Rapids | Inglewood |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 105,575 |
| Median household income | $67,859 | $71,029 |
| Median age | 36.9 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.2% | 16.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.32 | 2.93 |
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 Inglewood MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Iowa and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts 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.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Dry climate: Inglewood sees only 11.8 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (16.2Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Inglewood compared to Cedar Rapids?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $763,568 in Inglewood vs $204,112 in Cedar Rapids β a 274.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Inglewood, CA from Cedar Rapids, IA?
The driving distance is 1811 mi and the route typically takes 31h 46m via I 70 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Cedar Rapids vs Inglewood?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $71,029 in Inglewood vs $67,859 in Cedar Rapids β a 4.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Cedar Rapids to Inglewood?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1811 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Inglewood more expensive than Cedar Rapids?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Inglewood is 27.7% higher than Cedar Rapids (113.566 vs 88.963, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Inglewood compare to Cedar Rapids?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Inglewood MSA vs $47,670 in the Cedar Rapids MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 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· Inglewood, CA.