Moving from Pasadena, CA to Cedar Rapids, IA
Moving from Pasadena, CA to Cedar Rapids, IA is a 1790 mi cross-country relocation β about 31h 20m of driving through 7 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
1790 mi Β· 31h 20m by car Β· IA β NE β CO β UT β AZ β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | IA β NE β CO β UT β AZ β NV β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 80 EXPRESS, I 15 |
| Major cities en route | Des Moines, Omaha, Lincoln, Greeley, Aurora |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Pasadena | Cedar Rapids | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 88.963 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 83.981 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 93.73 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 71.447 | 100.0 |
Overall price level runs 21.7% below Pasadena β a substantial cost-of-living drop on the BEA Regional Price Parity (113.566 β 88.963, 2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Cedar Rapids is 21.7% below Pasadena β $1,209,228 vs $204,112 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Pasadena -1.0%, Cedar Rapids +2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Pasadena | Cedar Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 48Β°F |
| January avg low | 46Β°F | 11Β°F |
| July avg high | 89Β°F | 83Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 20.1" | 35.9" |
Cedar Rapids runs 17.7Β°F colder on the annual average (66.0Β°F vs 48.3Β°F) β expect a noticeably different year.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: PASADENA, CA US, CEDAR RAPIDS MUNI AP, IA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Pasadena | Cedar Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,462 | 136,859 |
| Median household income | $103,778 | $67,859 |
| Median age | 40.1 | 36.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30% | 22.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.39 | 2.32 |
Median household income in Cedar Rapids is 21.7% below Pasadena ($103,778 vs $67,859, 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 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
- 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.
- 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.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
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 (17.7Β°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
Is Cedar Rapids more expensive than Pasadena?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Cedar Rapids is 21.7% lower than Pasadena (88.963 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Pasadena 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 1790 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Cedar Rapids compared to Pasadena?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $204,112 in Cedar Rapids vs $1,209,228 in Pasadena β a 83.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Cedar Rapids, IA from Pasadena, CA?
The driving distance is 1790 mi and the route typically takes 31h 20m via I 70 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Pasadena vs Cedar Rapids?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,859 in Cedar Rapids vs $103,778 in Pasadena β a 34.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Cedar Rapids compare to Pasadena?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,670 in the Cedar Rapids MSA vs $50,490 in the Pasadena MSA, on total employment of 140,020 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Pasadena.
City profiles: Pasadena, CA Β· Cedar Rapids, IA.