Moving from Cedar Rapids, IA to Santa Clarita, CA
It is 1792 mi and 31h 39m from Cedar Rapids to Santa Clarita β a cross-country move across 7 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1792 mi Β· 31h 39m by car Β· CA β NV β AZ β UT β CO β NE β IA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β NV β AZ β UT β CO β NE β IA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 80, I 15 |
| Major cities en route | Los Angeles, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Glendale, Burbank |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Cedar Rapids | Santa Clarita | 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 Santa Clarita 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%, Santa Clarita -2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Cedar Rapids | Santa Clarita |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 48Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 11Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 35.9" | 16.8" |
Annual average temperature gap of 17.2Β°F β a meaningful climate change across the move.
Effectively snow-free year in Santa Clarita β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CEDAR RAPIDS MUNI AP, IA US, NEWHALL 5NW, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Cedar Rapids | Santa Clarita |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 229,021 |
| Median household income | $67,859 | $119,926 |
| Median age | 36.9 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.2% | 26.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.32 | 3.04 |
Expect median household income to rise 27.7% β $67,859 β $119,926 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Santa Clarita 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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter 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 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- 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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Santa Clarita average 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (17.2Β°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
Is Santa Clarita more expensive than Cedar Rapids?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Santa Clarita 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.
When is the best time to move from Cedar Rapids to Santa Clarita?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1792 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Cedar Rapids vs Santa Clarita?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $119,926 in Santa Clarita vs $67,859 in Cedar Rapids β a 76.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Santa Clarita compared to Cedar Rapids?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $802,016 in Santa Clarita vs $204,112 in Cedar Rapids β a 292.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Santa Clarita, CA from Cedar Rapids, IA?
The driving distance is 1792 mi and the route typically takes 31h 39m via I 70 and I 80. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Santa Clarita compare to Cedar Rapids?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Santa Clarita 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· Santa Clarita, CA.