Moving from Norman, OK to Des Moines, IA
It is 564 mi between Norman and Des Moines — roughly 10h 11m 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.
564 mi · 10h 11m by car · IA → MO → KS → OK
Distance & route
| Route through | IA → MO → KS → OK |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, I 470, I 70 |
| Major cities en route | Kansas City, Independence, Lee S Summit, Overland Park, Kansas City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Norman | Des Moines | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.408 | 91.701 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 74.067 | 84.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.778 | 93.73 | 100.0 |
| Services | 73.885 | 84.741 | 100.0 |
Norman and Des Moines sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $262,839 in Norman to $208,166 in Des Moines, a 1.4% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Norman +2.0%, Des Moines +0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Norman | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61°F | 51°F |
| January avg low | 28°F | 14°F |
| July avg high | 93°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 4.1" | 36.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.7" | 36.6" |
Annual temperature drops 9.8°F moving to Des Moines per NOAA normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Des Moines sees 36.5 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: NORMAN 3SSE, OK US, DES MOINES INTL AP, IA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Norman | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 128,714 | 212,464 |
| Median household income | $65,060 | $63,966 |
| Median age | 31.6 | 34.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.2% | 19.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 2.36 |
Household income lines up — $65,060 vs $63,966 on ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Des Moines MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 48,550 | $46,670 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 35,680 | $36,420 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 34,890 | $78,150 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 33,360 | $45,430 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 30,210 | $30,100 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Oklahoma 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 — 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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Des Moines averages 36.5 in annually vs 4.1 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- Tornado season runs April through June — 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
What is the climate difference between Norman and Des Moines?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.9°F in Des Moines vs 60.7°F in Norman (9.8°F colder). Annual snowfall: 36.5 in vs 4.1 in. Annual precipitation: 36.6 in vs 37.7 in.
How does the job market in Des Moines compare to Norman?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,550 in the Des Moines MSA vs $44,030 in the Norman MSA, on total employment of 383,190 and 656,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Norman to Des Moines?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 564 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Des Moines more expensive than Norman?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Des Moines is 1.4% higher than Norman (91.701 vs 90.408, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Norman vs Des Moines?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,966 in Des Moines vs $65,060 in Norman — a 1.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Des Moines, IA from Norman, OK?
The driving distance is 564 mi and the route typically takes 10h 11m via I 35 and I 470. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Des Moines compared to Norman?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $208,166 in Des Moines vs $262,839 in Norman — a 20.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Norman.
City profiles: Norman, OK · Des Moines, IA.