Moving from Des Moines, IA to Cleveland, OH
It is 662 mi between Des Moines and Cleveland β roughly 12h 18m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
662 mi Β· 12h 18m by car Β· OH β IN β IL β IA
Distance & route
| Route through | OH β IN β IL β IA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 90, I 280 |
| Major cities en route | Akron, Toledo, South Bend, Chicago, Naperville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Des Moines | Cleveland | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.701 | 93.923 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.585 | 95.967 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.73 | 93.628 | 100.0 |
| Services | 84.741 | 79.434 | 100.0 |
Des Moines and Cleveland sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $208,166 in Des Moines to $115,537 in Cleveland, a 2.4% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Des Moines +0.8%, Cleveland -1.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Des Moines | Cleveland |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 52Β°F |
| January avg low | 14Β°F | 24Β°F |
| July avg high | 86Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 36.5" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 36.6" | 33.3" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 50.9Β°F vs 52.3Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DES MOINES INTL AP, IA US, CLEVELAND BURKE AP, OH US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Des Moines | Cleveland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 367,523 |
| Median household income | $63,966 | $39,187 |
| Median age | 34.6 | 36.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.9% | 12.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.18 |
Cleveland households earn about 2.4% less than Des Moines at the median β $63,966 β $39,187 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Iowa and Ohio
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Ohio'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.
Frequently asked
How far is Cleveland, OH from Des Moines, IA?
The driving distance is 662 mi and the route typically takes 12h 18m via I 80 and I 90. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Des Moines vs Cleveland?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $39,187 in Cleveland vs $63,966 in Des Moines β a 38.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Des Moines to Cleveland?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 662 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Cleveland more expensive than Des Moines?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Cleveland is 2.4% higher than Des Moines (93.923 vs 91.701, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Cleveland compared to Des Moines?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $115,537 in Cleveland vs $208,166 in Des Moines β a 44.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Des Moines.
City profiles: Des Moines, IA Β· Cleveland, OH.