Moving from Cedar Rapids, IA to Tempe, AZ
It is 1508 mi and 27h 56m from Cedar Rapids to Tempe 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.
1508 mi Β· 27h 56m by car Β· AZ β NM β TX β OK β KS β MO β IA
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ β NM β TX β OK β KS β MO β IA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 54, AZ 77, I 40 |
| Major cities en route | Phoenix, Chandler, Glendale, Goodyear, Mesa |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Cedar Rapids | Tempe | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 88.963 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.981 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.73 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.447 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 16.1% above Cedar Rapids β 88.963 β 103.316 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
16.1% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Cedar Rapids +2.8%, Tempe -1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Cedar Rapids | Tempe |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 48Β°F | 72Β°F |
| January avg low | 11Β°F | 39Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 106Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 35.9" | 8.8" |
Annual average temperature gap of 23.5Β°F β a meaningful climate change across the move.
Effectively snow-free year in Tempe β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CEDAR RAPIDS MUNI AP, IA US, TEMPE ASU, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Cedar Rapids | Tempe |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 186,419 |
| Median household income | $67,859 | $77,643 |
| Median age | 36.9 | 29.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.2% | 28.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.32 | 2.42 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 16.1% higher in Tempe than Cedar Rapids.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Tempe MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 314,170 | $45,080 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 205,010 | $34,400 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 204,700 | $37,700 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 199,140 | $40,870 |
| Management Occupations | 170,690 | $105,420 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Iowa and Arizona
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Arizona'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-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close 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 Tempe average 106Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Tempe sees only 8.8 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (23.5Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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 Arizona after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Tempe compare to Cedar Rapids?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Tempe MSA vs $47,670 in the Cedar Rapids MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 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 Tempe?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $77,643 in Tempe vs $67,859 in Cedar Rapids β a 14.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Tempe more expensive than Cedar Rapids?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tempe is 16.1% higher than Cedar Rapids (103.316 vs 88.963, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Tempe compared to Cedar Rapids?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $468,281 in Tempe vs $204,112 in Cedar Rapids β a 129.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Cedar Rapids to Tempe?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1508 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Tempe, AZ from Cedar Rapids, IA?
The driving distance is 1508 mi and the route typically takes 27h 56m via US 54 and AZ 77. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
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· Tempe, AZ.