Moving from Des Moines, IA to Toledo, OH
A move from Des Moines, IA to Toledo, OH covers 560 mi and around 10h 28m of driving through 4 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.
560 mi Β· 10h 28m by car Β· OH β IN β IL β IA
Distance & route
| Route through | OH β IN β IL β IA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 90, I 280 |
| Major cities en route | South Bend, Chicago, Naperville, Joliet, Aurora |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Des Moines | Toledo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.701 | 91.455 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.585 | 96.285 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.73 | 93.628 | 100.0 |
| Services | 84.741 | 67.317 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Des Moines (91.701) and Toledo (91.455) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Toledo: 0.3% below Des Moines on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Des Moines +0.8%, Toledo +5.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Des Moines | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 14Β°F | 20Β°F |
| July avg high | 86Β°F | 85Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 36.5" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 36.6" | 32.4" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DES MOINES INTL AP, IA US, TOLEDO METCALF FLD, OH US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Des Moines | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 268,461 |
| Median household income | $63,966 | $47,532 |
| Median age | 34.6 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.9% | 13.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.27 |
Median household income in Toledo is 0.3% below Des Moines ($63,966 vs $47,532, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Toledo MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 33,160 | $39,900 |
| Production Occupations | 31,420 | $45,220 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 30,850 | $41,570 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 27,870 | $28,590 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 22,710 | $32,930 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Iowa and Ohio
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Ohio'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.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Toledo compare to Des Moines?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,740 in the Toledo MSA vs $49,550 in the Des Moines MSA, on total employment of 290,070 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 Toledo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $47,532 in Toledo vs $63,966 in Des Moines β a 25.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Des Moines to Toledo?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 560 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Toledo, OH from Des Moines, IA?
The driving distance is 560 mi and the route typically takes 10h 28m via I 80 and I 90. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Toledo compared to Des Moines?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $129,627 in Toledo vs $208,166 in Des Moines β a 37.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Toledo more expensive than Des Moines?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Toledo is 0.3% lower than Des Moines (91.455 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 Β· Toledo, OH.