Moving from Des Moines, IA to League City, TX
It is 957 mi between Des Moines and League City — roughly 17h 38m 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.
957 mi · 17h 38m by car · IA → MO → OK → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | IA → MO → OK → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 69, I 45, I 35 |
| Major cities en route | Kansas City, Kansas City, Independence, Overland Park, Olathe |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Des Moines | League City | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.701 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.585 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.73 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 84.741 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 7.6% above Des Moines — 91.701 → 98.629 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
7.6% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Des Moines +0.8%, League City -1.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Des Moines | League City |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51°F | 71°F |
| January avg low | 14°F | 46°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 36.5" | 0.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 36.6" | 60.2" |
Annual average temperature gap of 19.7°F — a meaningful climate change across the move.
Effectively snow-free year in League City — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: DES MOINES INTL AP, IA US, HOUSTON NWSO, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Des Moines | League City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 114,885 |
| Median household income | $63,966 | $119,870 |
| Median age | 34.6 | 37.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.9% | 32.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.68 |
League City households earn about 7.6% more than Des Moines at the median — $63,966 → $119,870 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in League City MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 387,430 | $41,570 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 305,780 | $39,450 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 288,170 | $27,490 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 269,160 | $35,450 |
| Management Occupations | 268,670 | $109,460 |
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 League City average 92°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: League City averages 60.2 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (19.7°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
How does the job market in League City compare to Des Moines?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the League City MSA vs $49,550 in the Des Moines MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 383,190 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Des Moines vs League City?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $119,870 in League City vs $63,966 in Des Moines — a 87.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is League City, TX from Des Moines, IA?
The driving distance is 957 mi and the route typically takes 17h 38m via US 69 and I 45. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Des Moines to League City?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 957 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in League City compared to Des Moines?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $372,300 in League City vs $208,166 in Des Moines — a 78.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is League City more expensive than Des Moines?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in League City is 7.6% higher than Des Moines (98.629 vs 91.701, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Des Moines and League City?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.6°F in League City vs 50.9°F in Des Moines (19.7°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.2 in vs 36.5 in. Annual precipitation: 60.2 in vs 36.6 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Des Moines.
City profiles: Des Moines, IA · League City, TX.