Moving from Cedar Rapids, IA to Philadelphia, PA
It is 988 mi between Cedar Rapids and Philadelphia β roughly 18h 14m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 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.
988 mi Β· 18h 14m by car Β· PA β OH β IN β IL β IA
Distance & route
| Route through | PA β OH β IN β IL β IA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 76, PATP |
| Major cities en route | Pittsburgh, Akron, Cleveland, Toledo, South Bend |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Cedar Rapids | Philadelphia | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 88.963 | 102.554 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.981 | 114.389 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.73 | 96.833 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.447 | 113.141 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 15.3% above Cedar Rapids β 88.963 β 102.554 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 15.3% above Cedar Rapids β $204,112 β $231,815 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Cedar Rapids +2.8%, Philadelphia +2.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Cedar Rapids | Philadelphia |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 48Β°F | 58Β°F |
| January avg low | 11Β°F | 28Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 89Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 16.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 35.9" | 50.7" |
Annual temperature rises 9.4Β°F moving to Philadelphia per NOAA normals.
Heavy-snow city: expect 16.1 in of snowfall annually at Philadelphia.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CEDAR RAPIDS MUNI AP, IA US, PHILA FRANKLIN INST, PA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Cedar Rapids | Philadelphia |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 1,582,432 |
| Median household income | $67,859 | $60,698 |
| Median age | 36.9 | 35.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.2% | 19.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.32 | 2.36 |
Households in Philadelphia earn about 15.3% less at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Philadelphia MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 352,560 | $46,660 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 252,940 | $41,710 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 228,980 | $36,650 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 223,850 | $31,100 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 200,320 | $86,620 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Iowa and Pennsylvania
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Pennsylvania'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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Philadelphia averages 16.1 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Pack rain gear on top: Philadelphia averages 50.7 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- 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 Pennsylvania after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Philadelphia compare to Cedar Rapids?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,160 in the Philadelphia MSA vs $47,670 in the Cedar Rapids MSA, on total employment of 2,829,560 and 140,020 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Philadelphia more expensive than Cedar Rapids?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Philadelphia is 15.3% higher than Cedar Rapids (102.554 vs 88.963, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Philadelphia, PA from Cedar Rapids, IA?
The driving distance is 988 mi and the route typically takes 18h 14m via I 80 and I 76. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Cedar Rapids to Philadelphia?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 988 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Philadelphia compared to Cedar Rapids?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $231,815 in Philadelphia vs $204,112 in Cedar Rapids β a 13.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Cedar Rapids vs Philadelphia?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,698 in Philadelphia vs $67,859 in Cedar Rapids β a 10.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
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· Philadelphia, PA.