Moving from Des Moines, IA to Victorville, CA
It is 1605 mi and 27h 48m from Des Moines to Victorville — a cross-country move across 7 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.
1605 mi · 27h 48m by car · IA → NE → CO → UT → AZ → NV → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | IA → NE → CO → UT → AZ → NV → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 80 EXPRESS, I 15 |
| Major cities en route | Omaha, Lincoln, Greeley, Denver, Aurora |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Des Moines | Victorville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.701 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.585 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.73 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 84.741 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
Victorville runs about 16.1% more expensive overall than Des Moines — RPP 91.701 → 106.442.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $208,166 in Des Moines to $436,009 in Victorville, a 16.1% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Des Moines +0.8%, Victorville -1.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Des Moines | Victorville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51°F | 62°F |
| January avg low | 14°F | 33°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 98°F |
| Annual snowfall | 36.5" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 36.6" | 5.6" |
Expect 11.0°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Victorville sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: DES MOINES INTL AP, IA US, VICTORVILLE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Des Moines | Victorville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 135,983 |
| Median household income | $63,966 | $70,663 |
| Median age | 34.6 | 32 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.9% | 8.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 3.63 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 16.1% higher in Victorville than Des Moines.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Victorville MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 267,890 | $47,210 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 177,100 | $47,040 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 167,590 | $34,570 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 136,950 | $36,420 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 115,940 | $32,240 |
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
- 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.
- 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.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Victorville average 98°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Victorville sees only 5.6 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (11.0°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
How much do homes cost in Victorville compared to Des Moines?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $436,009 in Victorville vs $208,166 in Des Moines — a 109.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Victorville, CA from Des Moines, IA?
The driving distance is 1605 mi and the route typically takes 27h 48m via I 70 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Des Moines and Victorville?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.9°F in Victorville vs 50.9°F in Des Moines (11.0°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 36.5 in. Annual precipitation: 5.6 in vs 36.6 in.
When is the best time to move from Des Moines to Victorville?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1605 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Victorville compare to Des Moines?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Victorville MSA vs $49,550 in the Des Moines MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 and 383,190 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Victorville more expensive than Des Moines?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Victorville is 16.1% higher than Des Moines (106.442 vs 91.701, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Des Moines vs Victorville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $70,663 in Victorville vs $63,966 in Des Moines — a 10.5% 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 · Victorville, CA.