Moving from Cedar Rapids, IA to Sparks, NV
A 1694 mi cross-country move between Cedar Rapids and Sparks is 28h 42m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 5 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.
1694 mi Β· 28h 42m by car Β· IA β NE β WY β UT β NV
Distance & route
| Route through | IA β NE β WY β UT β NV |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 80 EXPRESS, US 30 |
| Major cities en route | Des Moines, Omaha, Lincoln, Salt Lake City, West Valley City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Cedar Rapids | Sparks | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 88.963 | 101.014 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.981 | 89.274 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.73 | 96.271 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.447 | 123.478 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 13.5% higher cost of living β rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 13.5% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $204,112 to $529,283 moving to Sparks.
YoY change: Cedar Rapids +2.8%, Sparks -0.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Cedar Rapids | Sparks |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 48Β°F | 54Β°F |
| January avg low | 11Β°F | 25Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 6.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 35.9" | 8.4" |
Annual temperature rises 5.2Β°F moving to Sparks per NOAA normals.
Sparks averages 6.8 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CEDAR RAPIDS MUNI AP, IA US, SPARKS, NV US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Cedar Rapids | Sparks |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 109,106 |
| Median household income | $67,859 | $86,979 |
| Median age | 36.9 | 36.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.2% | 16.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.32 | 2.64 |
Sparks households earn about 13.5% more than Cedar Rapids at the median β $67,859 β $86,979 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Sparks MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 30,990 | $45,200 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 30,330 | $42,130 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 23,210 | $30,270 |
| Management Occupations | 21,700 | $97,370 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 19,500 | $36,430 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Iowa and Nevada
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Nevada'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.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Sparks average 92Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Sparks sees only 8.4 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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 Nevada after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Sparks compare to Cedar Rapids?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,540 in the Sparks MSA vs $47,670 in the Cedar Rapids MSA, on total employment of 254,100 and 140,020 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Cedar Rapids to Sparks?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1694 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Sparks, NV from Cedar Rapids, IA?
The driving distance is 1694 mi and the route typically takes 28h 42m via I 80 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Cedar Rapids vs Sparks?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $86,979 in Sparks vs $67,859 in Cedar Rapids β a 28.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Sparks more expensive than Cedar Rapids?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Sparks is 13.5% higher than Cedar Rapids (101.014 vs 88.963, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Sparks compared to Cedar Rapids?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $529,283 in Sparks vs $204,112 in Cedar Rapids β a 159.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
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· Sparks, NV.