Moving from Des Moines, IA to West Jordan, UT
It is 1076 mi between Des Moines and West Jordan β roughly 18h 22m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1076 mi Β· 18h 22m by car Β· IA β NE β WY β UT
Distance & route
| Route through | IA β NE β WY β UT |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 80 EXPRESS, I 215 |
| Major cities en route | Omaha, Lincoln, Salt Lake City, Provo, West Valley City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Des Moines | West Jordan | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.701 | 100.868 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.585 | 79 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.73 | 96.446 | 100.0 |
| Services | 84.741 | 123.311 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 10.0% higher cost of living β rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 10.0% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $208,166 to $561,836 moving to West Jordan.
YoY change: Des Moines +0.8%, West Jordan +1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Des Moines | West Jordan |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 55Β°F |
| January avg low | 14Β°F | 25Β°F |
| July avg high | 86Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 36.5" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 36.6" | β |
Annual average temperatures in Des Moines (50.9Β°F) and West Jordan (54.5Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DES MOINES INTL AP, IA US, DRAPER-POINT OF MTN, UT US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Des Moines | West Jordan |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 116,277 |
| Median household income | $63,966 | $103,960 |
| Median age | 34.6 | 33.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.9% | 20.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 3.2 |
West Jordan households earn about 10.0% more than Des Moines at the median β $63,966 β $103,960 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in West Jordan MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 126,170 | $43,640 |
| Management Occupations | 69,550 | $106,250 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 66,590 | $43,680 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 64,620 | $69,990 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 62,830 | $40,320 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Iowa and Utah
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Utah'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
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in West Jordan average 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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 Utah after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is West Jordan, UT from Des Moines, IA?
The driving distance is 1076 mi and the route typically takes 18h 22m via I 80 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in West Jordan compare to Des Moines?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,440 in the West Jordan MSA vs $49,550 in the Des Moines MSA, on total employment of 803,800 and 383,190 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in West Jordan compared to Des Moines?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $561,836 in West Jordan vs $208,166 in Des Moines β a 169.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is West Jordan more expensive than Des Moines?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in West Jordan is 10.0% higher than Des Moines (100.868 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 West Jordan?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $103,960 in West Jordan vs $63,966 in Des Moines β a 62.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Des Moines to West Jordan?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1076 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
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· West Jordan, UT.