Moving from Des Moines, IA to Peoria, AZ
It is 1432 mi between Des Moines and Peoria — roughly 25h 44m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 7 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.
1432 mi · 25h 44m by car · IA → MO → KS → OK → TX → NM → AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | IA → MO → KS → OK → TX → NM → AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 54, I 35 |
| Major cities en route | Independence, Lee S Summit, Kansas City, Overland Park, Kansas City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Des Moines | Peoria | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.701 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.585 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.73 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 84.741 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 12.7% above Des Moines — 91.701 → 103.316 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
12.7% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Des Moines +0.8%, Peoria -1.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Des Moines | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51°F | 70°F |
| January avg low | 14°F | 39°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 105°F |
| Annual snowfall | 36.5" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 36.6" | 9.6" |
Annual average temperature gap of 19.3°F — a meaningful climate change across the move.
Effectively snow-free year in Peoria — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: DES MOINES INTL AP, IA US, WITTMANN 1SE, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Des Moines | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 194,338 |
| Median household income | $63,966 | $93,403 |
| Median age | 34.6 | 42.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.9% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.66 |
Peoria households earn about 12.7% more than Des Moines at the median — $63,966 → $93,403 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Peoria MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 314,170 | $45,080 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 205,010 | $34,400 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 204,700 | $37,700 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 199,140 | $40,870 |
| Management Occupations | 170,690 | $105,420 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Iowa and Arizona
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Arizona'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.
Winter driving along this route
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Peoria average 105°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Peoria sees only 9.6 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (19.3°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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 Arizona after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Des Moines to Peoria?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1432 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Des Moines and Peoria?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.2°F in Peoria vs 50.9°F in Des Moines (19.3°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 36.5 in. Annual precipitation: 9.6 in vs 36.6 in.
How much do homes cost in Peoria compared to Des Moines?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $488,596 in Peoria vs $208,166 in Des Moines — a 134.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Des Moines vs Peoria?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $93,403 in Peoria vs $63,966 in Des Moines — a 46.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Peoria compare to Des Moines?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Peoria MSA vs $49,550 in the Des Moines MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 383,190 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Peoria, AZ from Des Moines, IA?
The driving distance is 1432 mi and the route typically takes 25h 44m via I 40 and US 54. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Peoria more expensive than Des Moines?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Peoria is 12.7% higher than Des Moines (103.316 vs 91.701, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Des Moines.
City profiles: Des Moines, IA · Peoria, AZ.