Moving from Houston, TX to Cedar Rapids, IA
It is 1049 mi between Houston and Cedar Rapids β roughly 19h 23m 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.
1049 mi Β· 19h 23m by car Β· TX β OK β MO β IA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β OK β MO β IA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 45, US 69, I 35 |
| Major cities en route | Pasadena, Pearland, League City, Sugar Land, Mesquite |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Houston | Cedar Rapids | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.629 | 88.963 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.288 | 83.981 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.639 | 93.73 | 100.0 |
| Services | 104.51 | 71.447 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 9.8% cheaper overall in Cedar Rapids than Houston on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
9.8% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Houston -2.9%, Cedar Rapids +2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Houston | Cedar Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71Β°F | 48Β°F |
| January avg low | 44Β°F | 11Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 83Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 54.1" | 35.9" |
Annual average temperature gap of 22.3Β°F β a meaningful climate change across the move.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: HOUSTON-PORT, TX US, CEDAR RAPIDS MUNI AP, IA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Houston | Cedar Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 136,859 |
| Median household income | $62,894 | $67,859 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 36.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.3% | 22.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.51 | 2.32 |
Households in Cedar Rapids earn about 9.8% more at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Cedar Rapids MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 16,490 | $43,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 14,280 | $46,000 |
| Production Occupations | 13,570 | $46,060 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 11,520 | $34,850 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 11,280 | $29,630 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and Iowa
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Iowa'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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (22.3Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- Tornado season runs April through June β identify a safe room or interior space early.
- 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 Iowa after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Cedar Rapids, IA from Houston, TX?
The driving distance is 1049 mi and the route typically takes 19h 23m via I 45 and US 69. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Cedar Rapids compared to Houston?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $204,112 in Cedar Rapids vs $264,336 in Houston β a 22.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Cedar Rapids compare to Houston?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,670 in the Cedar Rapids MSA vs $46,960 in the Houston MSA, on total employment of 140,020 and 3,179,460 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Houston to Cedar Rapids?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1049 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Cedar Rapids more expensive than Houston?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Cedar Rapids is 9.8% lower than Houston (88.963 vs 98.629, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Houston vs Cedar Rapids?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,859 in Cedar Rapids vs $62,894 in Houston β a 7.9% 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 Houston.
City profiles: Houston, TX Β· Cedar Rapids, IA.