Moving from Des Moines, IA to Tacoma, WA
It is 1773 mi and 30h 55m from Des Moines to Tacoma β a cross-country move across 5 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1773 mi Β· 30h 55m by car Β· WA β ID β MT β SD β IA
Distance & route
| Route through | WA β ID β MT β SD β IA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, US 14, SD 79 |
| Major cities en route | Kent, Seattle, Bellevue, Renton, Spokane |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Des Moines | Tacoma | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.701 | 111.133 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.585 | 92.814 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.73 | 103.972 | 100.0 |
| Services | 84.741 | 151.314 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP climbs from 91.701 in Des Moines to 111.133 in Tacoma, putting overall prices 21.2% above the origin.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 21.2% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $208,166 to $493,840 moving to Tacoma.
YoY change: Des Moines +0.8%, Tacoma -0.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Des Moines | Tacoma |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 54Β°F |
| January avg low | 14Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 86Β°F | 77Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 36.5" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 36.6" | 40.8" |
Annual average temperatures in Des Moines (50.9Β°F) and Tacoma (53.7Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DES MOINES INTL AP, IA US, TACOMA #1, WA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Des Moines | Tacoma |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 220,482 |
| Median household income | $63,966 | $83,857 |
| Median age | 34.6 | 37.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.9% | 21% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.41 |
Expect median household income to rise 21.2% β $63,966 β $83,857 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Tacoma MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 225,240 | $54,470 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 197,190 | $97,870 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 190,190 | $48,950 |
| Computer and Mathematical Occupations | 171,820 | $140,760 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 167,750 | $40,980 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Iowa and Washington
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Washington'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
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Montana interstates can close without notice in winter storms β check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.
- I-90 across western South Dakota can close in ground blizzards β check SD 511 November through April.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Wildfire season east of the Cascades peaks July through September; earthquake preparedness is standard west of the mountains.
- 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 Washington after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Tacoma compared to Des Moines?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $493,840 in Tacoma vs $208,166 in Des Moines β a 137.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Tacoma, WA from Des Moines, IA?
The driving distance is 1773 mi and the route typically takes 30h 55m via I 90 and US 14. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Des Moines vs Tacoma?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $83,857 in Tacoma vs $63,966 in Des Moines β a 31.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Tacoma more expensive than Des Moines?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tacoma is 21.2% higher than Des Moines (111.133 vs 91.701, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Des Moines to Tacoma?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1773 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Tacoma compare to Des Moines?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $65,260 in the Tacoma MSA vs $49,550 in the Des Moines MSA, on total employment of 2,079,090 and 383,190 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
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· Tacoma, WA.