Moving from Des Moines, IA to Round Rock, TX
A move from Des Moines, IA to Round Rock, TX covers 909 mi and around 16h 1m of driving through 5 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
909 mi · 16h 1m by car · IA → MO → KS → OK → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | IA → MO → KS → OK → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, I 470, I 35W |
| 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 | Round Rock | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.701 | 98.066 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.585 | 82.044 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.73 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 84.741 | 120.361 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 6.9% pricier overall in Round Rock than Des Moines on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Round Rock typical home at $407,077 is 6.9% above Des Moines at $208,166 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Des Moines +0.8%, Round Rock -5.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
Climate normals not available (no NOAA station within range for one city).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Des Moines | Round Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 124,288 |
| Median household income | $63,966 | $97,187 |
| Median age | 34.6 | 36.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.9% | 28.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.66 |
Median household income in Round Rock is 6.9% above Des Moines ($63,966 vs $97,187, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Round Rock MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 160,480 | $44,250 |
| Management Occupations | 121,080 | $120,430 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 115,170 | $38,390 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 115,080 | $30,040 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 99,680 | $77,510 |
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
- 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 Round Rock compare to Des Moines?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,070 in the Round Rock MSA vs $49,550 in the Des Moines MSA, on total employment of 1,235,440 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 Round Rock?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $97,187 in Round Rock vs $63,966 in Des Moines — a 51.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Des Moines to Round Rock?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 909 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Round Rock compared to Des Moines?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $407,077 in Round Rock vs $208,166 in Des Moines — a 95.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Round Rock more expensive than Des Moines?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Round Rock is 6.9% higher than Des Moines (98.066 vs 91.701, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Round Rock, TX from Des Moines, IA?
The driving distance is 909 mi and the route typically takes 16h 1m via I 35 and I 470. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Des Moines.
City profiles: Des Moines, IA · Round Rock, TX.