Moving from Des Moines, IA to Santa Clarita, CA
Moving from Des Moines, IA to Santa Clarita, CA is a 1678 mi cross-country relocation — about 29h 25m of driving through 7 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
1678 mi · 29h 25m by car · CA → NV → AZ → UT → CO → NE → IA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → NV → AZ → UT → CO → NE → IA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 80, I 15 |
| Major cities en route | Los Angeles, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Glendale, Burbank |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Des Moines | Santa Clarita | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.701 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.585 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.73 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 84.741 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
You are looking at a 23.8% pricier overall price level — 91.701 → 113.566 on the latest BEA Regional Price Parities.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Santa Clarita typical home at $802,016 is 23.8% above Des Moines at $208,166 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Des Moines +0.8%, Santa Clarita -2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Des Moines | Santa Clarita |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 14°F | 47°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 36.5" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 36.6" | 16.8" |
Santa Clarita runs 14.6°F warmer on the annual average (50.9°F vs 65.5°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Santa Clarita sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: DES MOINES INTL AP, IA US, NEWHALL 5NW, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Des Moines | Santa Clarita |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 229,021 |
| Median household income | $63,966 | $119,926 |
| Median age | 34.6 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.9% | 26.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 3.04 |
Median household income in Santa Clarita is 23.8% above Des Moines ($63,966 vs $119,926, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Santa Clarita MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Iowa and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains 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.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April — check CDOT alerts before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Santa Clarita average 94°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 (14.6°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October — register for county emergency alerts 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Des Moines to Santa Clarita?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1678 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Santa Clarita compared to Des Moines?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $802,016 in Santa Clarita vs $208,166 in Des Moines — a 285.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Santa Clarita compare to Des Moines?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Santa Clarita MSA vs $49,550 in the Des Moines MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 383,190 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Santa Clarita more expensive than Des Moines?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Santa Clarita is 23.8% higher than Des Moines (113.566 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 Santa Clarita?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 65.5°F in Santa Clarita vs 50.9°F in Des Moines (14.6°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 36.5 in. Annual precipitation: 16.8 in vs 36.6 in.
How far is Santa Clarita, CA from Des Moines, IA?
The driving distance is 1678 mi and the route typically takes 29h 25m via I 70 and I 80. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Des Moines vs Santa Clarita?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $119,926 in Santa Clarita vs $63,966 in Des Moines — a 87.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Des Moines.
City profiles: Des Moines, IA · Santa Clarita, CA.