Moving from Des Moines, IA to West Palm Beach, FL
The drive from Des Moines, IA to West Palm Beach, FL runs 1496 mi β about 27h 55m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
1496 mi Β· 27h 55m by car Β· IA β MO β IL β KY β TN β GA β FL
Distance & route
| Route through | IA β MO β IL β KY β TN β GA β FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 75, I 24, GA 540 |
| Major cities en route | St Louis, Clarksville, Murfreesboro, Chattanooga, Sandy Springs |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Des Moines | West Palm Beach | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.701 | 114.155 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.585 | 97.235 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.73 | 103.556 | 100.0 |
| Services | 84.741 | 155.551 | 100.0 |
You are looking at a 24.5% pricier overall price level β 91.701 β 114.155 on the latest BEA Regional Price Parities.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: West Palm Beach typical home at $399,471 is 24.5% above Des Moines at $208,166 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Des Moines +0.8%, West Palm Beach -3.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Des Moines | West Palm Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 76Β°F |
| January avg low | 14Β°F | 58Β°F |
| July avg high | 86Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 36.5" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 36.6" | 61.7" |
NOAA normals show West Palm Beach running 24.9Β°F above Des Moines on the annual mean.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DES MOINES INTL AP, IA US, WEST PALM BEACH INTL AP, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Des Moines | West Palm Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 119,508 |
| Median household income | $63,966 | $69,261 |
| Median age | 34.6 | 40.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.9% | 23.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.37 |
Income steps up 24.5%: $63,966 in Des Moines vs $69,261 in West Palm Beach.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in West Palm Beach MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 393,730 | $41,640 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 306,440 | $37,640 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 261,940 | $30,720 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 239,610 | $37,610 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 194,910 | $77,760 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Iowa and Florida
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Florida'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-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter 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 Palm Beach average 90Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: West Palm Beach averages 61.7 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (24.9Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Hurricane season runs June through November β stock a basic emergency kit (water, flashlight, battery radio) 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 Florida after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Des Moines vs West Palm Beach?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $69,261 in West Palm Beach vs $63,966 in Des Moines β a 8.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in West Palm Beach compare to Des Moines?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,510 in the West Palm Beach MSA vs $49,550 in the Des Moines MSA, on total employment of 2,721,490 and 383,190 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is West Palm Beach, FL from Des Moines, IA?
The driving distance is 1496 mi and the route typically takes 27h 55m via I 75 and I 24. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Des Moines to West Palm Beach?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1496 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is West Palm Beach more expensive than Des Moines?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in West Palm Beach is 24.5% higher than Des Moines (114.155 vs 91.701, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in West Palm Beach compared to Des Moines?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $399,471 in West Palm Beach vs $208,166 in Des Moines β a 91.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
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 Palm Beach, FL.