Moving from Des Moines, IA to Miami Gardens, FL
Cross-country relocations like Des Moines, IA β Miami Gardens, FL cover 1551 mi and about 28h 53m of driving through 7 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.
1551 mi Β· 28h 53m by car Β· IA β MO β IL β KY β TN β GA β FL
Distance & route
| Route through | IA β MO β IL β KY β TN β GA β FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 75, I 24, GA 540 |
| Major cities en route | St Louis, Clarksville, Murfreesboro, Chattanooga, Sandy Springs |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Des Moines | Miami Gardens | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.701 | 114.155 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.585 | 97.235 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.73 | 103.556 | 100.0 |
| Services | 84.741 | 155.551 | 100.0 |
Overall price level in Miami Gardens runs 24.5% higher than Des Moines β a substantial step-up on the BEA Regional Price Parity (91.701 β 114.155, 2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Miami Gardens is 24.5% above Des Moines β $208,166 vs $469,434 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Des Moines +0.8%, Miami Gardens -2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Des Moines | Miami Gardens |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 76Β°F |
| January avg low | 14Β°F | 59Β°F |
| July avg high | 86Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 36.5" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 36.6" | 68.3" |
Miami Gardens runs 25.1Β°F warmer on the annual average (50.9Β°F vs 76.0Β°F) β a climate shift you will feel in cooling bills and wardrobe alike.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DES MOINES INTL AP, IA US, N MIAMI BEACH #2, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Des Moines | Miami Gardens |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 111,264 |
| Median household income | $63,966 | $60,979 |
| Median age | 34.6 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.9% | 11.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 3.22 |
Median household incomes in Des Moines ($63,966) and Miami Gardens ($60,979) are within a few percent (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Miami Gardens MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 393,730 | $41,640 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 306,440 | $37,640 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 261,940 | $30,720 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 239,610 | $37,610 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 194,910 | $77,760 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Iowa and Florida
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Florida'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.
Winter driving along this route
- I-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Pack rain gear on top: Miami Gardens averages 68.3 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (25.1Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Hurricane season runs June through November β stock a basic emergency kit (water, flashlight, battery radio) during unpack.
- 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 Florida after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Miami Gardens more expensive than Des Moines?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Miami Gardens is 24.5% higher than Des Moines (114.155 vs 91.701, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Miami Gardens compared to Des Moines?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $469,434 in Miami Gardens vs $208,166 in Des Moines β a 125.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Des Moines vs Miami Gardens?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,979 in Miami Gardens vs $63,966 in Des Moines β a 4.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Miami Gardens, FL from Des Moines, IA?
The driving distance is 1551 mi and the route typically takes 28h 53m via I 75 and I 24. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Miami Gardens compare to Des Moines?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,510 in the Miami Gardens MSA vs $49,550 in the Des Moines MSA, on total employment of 2,721,490 and 383,190 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Des Moines to Miami Gardens?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1551 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β 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 Β· Miami Gardens, FL.