Moving from Des Moines, IA to Laredo, TX
Relocating 1158 mi from Des Moines to Laredo is a 20h 21m drive through 5 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1158 mi · 20h 21m 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 | San Antonio, Austin, Round Rock, Killeen, Waco |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Des Moines | Laredo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.701 | 86.956 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.585 | 80.614 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.73 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 84.741 | 59.746 | 100.0 |
Expect about 5.2% lower overall cost of living — BEA RPP 2024 has Laredo at 86.956 vs Des Moines at 91.701.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 5.2% higher home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Des Moines +0.8%, Laredo +2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Des Moines | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51°F | 75°F |
| January avg low | 14°F | 47°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 100°F |
| Annual snowfall | 36.5" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 36.6" | 19.7" |
Expect 24.1°F warmer on average per year — plan for air conditioning and a summer-heavy wardrobe.
Laredo gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: DES MOINES INTL AP, IA US, LAREDO 2, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Des Moines | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 255,949 |
| Median household income | $63,966 | $63,264 |
| Median age | 34.6 | 29.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.9% | 15.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 3.36 |
Median household incomes in Des Moines ($63,966) and Laredo ($63,264) are within a few percent (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Laredo MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 15,810 | $34,040 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 15,300 | $35,870 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 10,740 | $23,180 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 9,360 | $28,410 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 9,330 | $22,560 |
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 Laredo average 100°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 (24.1°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
How does household income compare in Des Moines vs Laredo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,264 in Laredo vs $63,966 in Des Moines — a 1.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Laredo more expensive than Des Moines?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Laredo is 5.2% lower than Des Moines (86.956 vs 91.701, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Laredo, TX from Des Moines, IA?
The driving distance is 1158 mi and the route typically takes 20h 21m 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 Laredo compare to Des Moines?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $35,220 in the Laredo MSA vs $49,550 in the Des Moines MSA, on total employment of 104,610 and 383,190 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Laredo compared to Des Moines?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $220,331 in Laredo vs $208,166 in Des Moines — a 5.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Des Moines and Laredo?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 75.0°F in Laredo vs 50.9°F in Des Moines (24.1°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 36.5 in. Annual precipitation: 19.7 in vs 36.6 in.
When is the best time to move from Des Moines to Laredo?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1158 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 · Laredo, TX.