Moving from Des Moines, IA to St. Louis, MO
Moving from Des Moines, IA to St. Louis, MO covers 346 mi and about 6h 55m by car through 2 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
346 mi · 6h 55m by car · MO → IA
Distance & route
| Route through | MO → IA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 61, I 64, US 40 |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Des Moines | St. Louis | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.701 | 95.088 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.585 | 69.921 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.73 | 99.996 | 100.0 |
| Services | 84.741 | 79.024 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in St. Louis and Des Moines is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: Des Moines +0.8%, St. Louis —. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Des Moines | St. Louis |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51°F | 58°F |
| January avg low | 14°F | 25°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 90°F |
| Annual snowfall | 36.5" | — |
| Annual precipitation | 36.6" | 43.9" |
St. Louis runs 7.1°F warmer on the annual average (50.9°F vs 58.0°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: DES MOINES INTL AP, IA US, ST LOUIS SCI CTR, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Des Moines | St. Louis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 293,109 |
| Median household income | $63,966 | $55,279 |
| Median age | 34.6 | 36.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.9% | 22% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.03 |
Median household income in St. Louis is 3.7% below Des Moines ($63,966 → $55,279, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in St. Louis MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 162,150 | $43,310 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 119,600 | $29,980 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 115,380 | $39,330 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 108,510 | $35,500 |
| Management Occupations | 94,750 | $100,940 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Iowa and Missouri
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Missouri'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
- Tornadoes are common April through June — identify a safe room or interior space on day one.
- 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 Missouri after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Des Moines to St. Louis?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 346 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Des Moines vs St. Louis?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,279 in St. Louis vs $63,966 in Des Moines — a 13.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in St. Louis compare to Des Moines?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,490 in the St. Louis MSA vs $49,550 in the Des Moines MSA, on total employment of 1,325,480 and 383,190 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is St. Louis more expensive than Des Moines?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in St. Louis is 3.7% higher than Des Moines (95.088 vs 91.701, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is St. Louis, MO from Des Moines, IA?
The driving distance is 346 mi and the route typically takes 6h 55m via US 61 and I 64. The trip crosses 2 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 · St. Louis, MO.