Moving from Des Moines, IA to Irving, TX
It is 738 mi between Des Moines and Irving — roughly 13h 1m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 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.
738 mi · 13h 1m by car · TX → OK → KS → MO → IA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → OK → KS → MO → IA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, US 77, MO 110 |
| Major cities en route | Dallas, Grand Prairie, Mesquite, Fort Worth, Arlington |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Des Moines | Irving | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.701 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.585 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.73 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 84.741 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Irving runs about 12.4% more expensive overall than Des Moines — RPP 91.701 → 103.09.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $208,166 in Des Moines to $341,503 in Irving, a 12.4% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Des Moines +0.8%, Irving -2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Des Moines | Irving |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 14°F | 36°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 96°F |
| Annual snowfall | 36.5" | 1.6" |
| Annual precipitation | 36.6" | 37.0" |
Annual average temperature jumps 15.7°F — 50.9°F in Des Moines vs 66.6°F in Irving, per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Expect 1.6 in of snow annually at the destination — manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: DES MOINES INTL AP, IA US, DALLAS FT WORTH AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Des Moines | Irving |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 255,036 |
| Median household income | $63,966 | $79,641 |
| Median age | 34.6 | 32.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.9% | 24.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.71 |
Irving households earn about 12.4% more than Des Moines at the median — $63,966 → $79,641 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Irving MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Iowa and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Irving average 96°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (15.7°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Des Moines to Irving?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 738 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Des Moines vs Irving?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $79,641 in Irving vs $63,966 in Des Moines — a 24.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Des Moines and Irving?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Irving vs 50.9°F in Des Moines (15.7°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 1.6 in vs 36.5 in. Annual precipitation: 37.0 in vs 36.6 in.
How far is Irving, TX from Des Moines, IA?
The driving distance is 738 mi and the route typically takes 13h 1m via I 35 and US 77. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Irving compare to Des Moines?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Irving MSA vs $49,550 in the Des Moines MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 383,190 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Irving more expensive than Des Moines?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Irving is 12.4% higher than Des Moines (103.09 vs 91.701, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Irving compared to Des Moines?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $341,503 in Irving vs $208,166 in Des Moines — a 64.1% higher 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 · Irving, TX.