Moving from Moreno Valley, CA to Cedar Rapids, IA
A 1774 mi cross-country move between Moreno Valley and Cedar Rapids is 31h 4m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 7 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1774 mi Β· 31h 4m by car Β· CA β NV β AZ β UT β CO β NE β IA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β NV β AZ β UT β CO β NE β IA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 80, I 15 |
| Major cities en route | Murrieta, Temecula, Menifee, Riverside, Ontario |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Moreno Valley | Cedar Rapids | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.442 | 88.963 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.641 | 83.981 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 101.431 | 93.73 | 100.0 |
| Services | 129.312 | 71.447 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 16.4% moving from Moreno Valley to Cedar Rapids β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $551,284 in Moreno Valley to $204,112 in Cedar Rapids, a 16.4% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Moreno Valley -1.5%, Cedar Rapids +2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Moreno Valley | Cedar Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63Β°F | 48Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 11Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 83Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 10.7" | 35.9" |
Annual average temperature drops 15.0Β°F β 63.3Β°F in Moreno Valley vs 48.3Β°F in Cedar Rapids, per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MARCH AFB, CA US, CEDAR RAPIDS MUNI AP, IA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Moreno Valley | Cedar Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 210,378 | 136,859 |
| Median household income | $87,477 | $67,859 |
| Median age | 32.1 | 36.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.1% | 22.2% |
| Avg household size | 3.84 | 2.32 |
Cedar Rapids households earn about 16.4% less than Moreno Valley at the median β $87,477 β $67,859 on ACS 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 California 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.
Winter driving along this route
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter 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 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (15.0Β°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 Moreno Valley, CA?
The driving distance is 1774 mi and the route typically takes 31h 4m via I 70 and I 80. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Cedar Rapids more expensive than Moreno Valley?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Cedar Rapids is 16.4% lower than Moreno Valley (88.963 vs 106.442, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Cedar Rapids compare to Moreno Valley?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,670 in the Cedar Rapids MSA vs $47,450 in the Moreno Valley MSA, on total employment of 140,020 and 1,661,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Cedar Rapids compared to Moreno Valley?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $204,112 in Cedar Rapids vs $551,284 in Moreno Valley β a 63.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Moreno Valley vs Cedar Rapids?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,859 in Cedar Rapids vs $87,477 in Moreno Valley β a 22.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Moreno Valley 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 1774 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 Moreno Valley.
City profiles: Moreno Valley, CA Β· Cedar Rapids, IA.