Moving from Des Moines, IA to Bellevue, WA
Cross-country relocations like Des Moines, IA → Bellevue, WA cover 1750 mi and about 30h 25m of driving through 5 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.
1750 mi · 30h 25m by car · IA → SD → MT → ID → WA
Distance & route
| Route through | IA → SD → MT → ID → WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, US 212, I 29 |
| Major cities en route | Omaha, Sioux Falls, Billings, Spokane Valley, Spokane |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Des Moines | Bellevue | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.701 | 111.133 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.585 | 92.814 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.73 | 103.972 | 100.0 |
| Services | 84.741 | 151.314 | 100.0 |
Overall price level in Bellevue runs 21.2% higher than Des Moines — a substantial step-up on the BEA Regional Price Parity (91.701 → 111.133, 2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Bellevue is 21.2% above Des Moines — $208,166 vs $1,516,154 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Des Moines +0.8%, Bellevue -2.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Des Moines | Bellevue |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51°F | 53°F |
| January avg low | 14°F | 37°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 77°F |
| Annual snowfall | 36.5" | 3.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 36.6" | 37.8" |
Annual average temperatures in Des Moines (50.9°F) and Bellevue (53.2°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Bellevue averages 3.8 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: DES MOINES INTL AP, IA US, SEATTLE SAND PT WSFO, WA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Des Moines | Bellevue |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 151,199 |
| Median household income | $63,966 | $161,300 |
| Median age | 34.6 | 38.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.9% | 36.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.46 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 21.2% between Des Moines and Bellevue (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Bellevue MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 225,240 | $54,470 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 197,190 | $97,870 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 190,190 | $48,950 |
| Computer and Mathematical Occupations | 171,820 | $140,760 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 167,750 | $40,980 |
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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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-90 across western South Dakota can close in ground blizzards — check SD 511 November through April.
- Montana interstates can close without notice in winter storms — 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 — 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
How much do homes cost in Bellevue compared to Des Moines?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,516,154 in Bellevue vs $208,166 in Des Moines — a 628.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Des Moines and Bellevue?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 53.2°F in Bellevue vs 50.9°F in Des Moines (2.3°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 3.8 in vs 36.5 in. Annual precipitation: 37.8 in vs 36.6 in.
How does the job market in Bellevue compare to Des Moines?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $65,260 in the Bellevue MSA vs $49,550 in the Des Moines MSA, on total employment of 2,079,090 and 383,190 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Bellevue more expensive than Des Moines?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Bellevue is 21.2% higher than Des Moines (111.133 vs 91.701, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Des Moines vs Bellevue?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $161,300 in Bellevue vs $63,966 in Des Moines — a 152.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Bellevue, WA from Des Moines, IA?
The driving distance is 1750 mi and the route typically takes 30h 25m via I 90 and US 212. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Des Moines to Bellevue?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1750 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Des Moines.
City profiles: Des Moines, IA · Bellevue, WA.