Moving from Costa Mesa, CA to Cedar Rapids, IA
Moving from Costa Mesa, CA to Cedar Rapids, IA is a 1802 mi cross-country relocation β about 31h 37m of driving through 7 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.
1802 mi Β· 31h 37m by car Β· IA β NE β CO β UT β AZ β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | IA β NE β CO β UT β AZ β NV β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 80 EXPRESS, I 15 |
| Major cities en route | Des Moines, Omaha, Lincoln, Greeley, Denver |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Costa Mesa | Cedar Rapids | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 88.963 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 83.981 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 93.73 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 71.447 | 100.0 |
Overall price level runs 21.7% below Costa Mesa β a substantial cost-of-living drop on the BEA Regional Price Parity (113.566 β 88.963, 2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Cedar Rapids is 21.7% below Costa Mesa β $1,413,322 vs $204,112 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Costa Mesa +3.1%, Cedar Rapids +2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Costa Mesa | Cedar Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 48Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 11Β°F |
| July avg high | 79Β°F | 83Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 11.2" | 35.9" |
Cedar Rapids runs 16.6Β°F colder on the annual average (64.9Β°F vs 48.3Β°F) β expect a noticeably different year.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANTA ANA JOHN WAYNE AP, CA US, CEDAR RAPIDS MUNI AP, IA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Costa Mesa | Cedar Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 110,538 | 136,859 |
| Median household income | $110,073 | $67,859 |
| Median age | 36.5 | 36.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30.9% | 22.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 2.32 |
Median household income in Cedar Rapids is 21.7% below Costa Mesa ($110,073 vs $67,859, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Cedar Rapids MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 16,490 | $43,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 14,280 | $46,000 |
| Production Occupations | 13,570 | $46,060 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 11,520 | $34,850 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 11,280 | $29,630 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Iowa
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Iowa'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
- 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.
- 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-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (16.6Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- Tornado season runs April through June β identify a safe room or interior space early.
- 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 Iowa after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Cedar Rapids, IA from Costa Mesa, CA?
The driving distance is 1802 mi and the route typically takes 31h 37m via I 70 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Costa Mesa to Cedar Rapids?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1802 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Cedar Rapids compare to Costa Mesa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,670 in the Cedar Rapids MSA vs $50,490 in the Costa Mesa MSA, on total employment of 140,020 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Cedar Rapids more expensive than Costa Mesa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Cedar Rapids is 21.7% lower than Costa Mesa (88.963 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Costa Mesa vs Cedar Rapids?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,859 in Cedar Rapids vs $110,073 in Costa Mesa β a 38.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Cedar Rapids compared to Costa Mesa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $204,112 in Cedar Rapids vs $1,413,322 in Costa Mesa β a 85.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Costa Mesa.
City profiles: Costa Mesa, CA Β· Cedar Rapids, IA.