Moving from Cedar Rapids, IA to Spokane, WA
Moving from Cedar Rapids, IA to Spokane, WA is a 1547 mi cross-country relocation β about 27h 2m of driving through 5 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
1547 mi Β· 27h 2m by car Β· WA β ID β MT β SD β IA
Distance & route
| Route through | WA β ID β MT β SD β IA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, US 14, SD 79 |
| Major cities en route | Spokane Valley, Billings, Sioux Falls |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Cedar Rapids | Spokane | 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 |
Moderate COL step-up: 12.8% pricier overall in Spokane than Cedar Rapids on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Spokane typical home at $395,325 is 12.8% above Cedar Rapids at $204,112 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Cedar Rapids +2.8%, Spokane 0.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Cedar Rapids | Spokane |
|---|---|---|
| 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" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 48.3Β°F vs 49.8Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 229,228 |
| Median household income | $67,859 | $65,745 |
| Median age | 36.9 | 37.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.2% | 20.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.32 | 2.37 |
Household income lines up β $67,859 vs $65,745 on ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Spokane 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
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Montana interstates can close without notice in winter storms β check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.
- I-90 across western South Dakota can close in ground blizzards β check SD 511 November through April.
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
Is Spokane more expensive than Cedar Rapids?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Spokane 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 far is Spokane, WA from Cedar Rapids, IA?
The driving distance is 1547 mi and the route typically takes 27h 2m via I 90 and US 14. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Cedar Rapids to Spokane?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1547 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 compared to Cedar Rapids?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $395,325 in Spokane vs $204,112 in Cedar Rapids β a 93.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Spokane compare to Cedar Rapids?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,920 in the Spokane 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 does household income compare in Cedar Rapids vs Spokane?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,745 in Spokane vs $67,859 in Cedar Rapids β a 3.1% 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· Spokane, WA.