Moving from Cedar Rapids, IA to Spokane Valley, WA
Cross-country relocations like Cedar Rapids, IA β Spokane Valley, WA cover 1543 mi and about 26h 50m of driving through 7 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.
1543 mi Β· 26h 50m by car Β· IA β MN β SD β WY β MT β ID β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | IA β MN β SD β WY β MT β ID β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, US 212, IA 27 |
| Major cities en route | Sioux Falls, Billings, Spokane |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Cedar Rapids | Spokane Valley | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 88.963 | 100.346 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.981 | 91.196 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.73 | 105.028 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.447 | 97.059 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP moves from 88.963 in Cedar Rapids to 100.346 in Spokane Valley, a 12.8% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Spokane Valley: 12.8% above Cedar Rapids on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Cedar Rapids +2.8%, Spokane Valley +0.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Cedar Rapids | Spokane Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 48Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 11Β°F | 26Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 35.9" | 17.4" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CEDAR RAPIDS MUNI AP, IA US, SPOKANE FELTS FLD, WA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Cedar Rapids | Spokane Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 105,460 |
| Median household income | $67,859 | $70,722 |
| Median age | 36.9 | 37.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.2% | 16.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.32 | 2.47 |
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 Spokane Valley MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 31,380 | $46,000 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 23,780 | $38,530 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 22,620 | $44,880 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 22,480 | $35,500 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 17,820 | $95,340 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Iowa and Washington
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Washington'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-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms β check MnDOT 511.
- I-90 across western South Dakota can close in ground blizzards β check SD 511 November through April.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- Montana interstates can close without notice in winter storms β check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Wildfire season east of the Cascades peaks July through September; earthquake preparedness is standard west of the mountains.
- 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 Washington after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Cedar Rapids to Spokane Valley?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1543 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 Spokane Valley compared to Cedar Rapids?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $408,888 in Spokane Valley vs $204,112 in Cedar Rapids β a 100.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Spokane Valley more expensive than Cedar Rapids?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Spokane Valley is 12.8% higher than Cedar Rapids (100.346 vs 88.963, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Spokane Valley compare to Cedar Rapids?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,920 in the Spokane Valley MSA vs $47,670 in the Cedar Rapids MSA, on total employment of 255,160 and 140,020 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Spokane Valley, WA from Cedar Rapids, IA?
The driving distance is 1543 mi and the route typically takes 26h 50m via I 90 and US 212. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Cedar Rapids vs Spokane Valley?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $70,722 in Spokane Valley vs $67,859 in Cedar Rapids β a 4.2% higher 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· Spokane Valley, WA.