Moving from Pomona, CA to Cedar Rapids, IA
A 1771 mi cross-country move between Pomona and Cedar Rapids is 30h 60m 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.
1771 mi Β· 30h 60m 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 | Anaheim, Santa Ana, Irvine, Huntington Beach, Glendale |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Pomona | 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 |
BEA RPP drops from 113.566 in Pomona to 88.963 in Cedar Rapids, a 21.7% cut on the overall price level (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 21.7% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $690,986 to $204,112 moving to Cedar Rapids.
YoY change: Pomona -0.8%, Cedar Rapids +2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Pomona | Cedar Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 48Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 11Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 83Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 14.5" | 35.9" |
Expect 16.8Β°F colder on average per year β plan for heating load and winter gear.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: POMONA/FAIRPLEX, CA US, CEDAR RAPIDS MUNI AP, IA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Pomona | Cedar Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 148,391 | 136,859 |
| Median household income | $78,869 | $67,859 |
| Median age | 35.4 | 36.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 13.7% | 22.2% |
| Avg household size | 3.55 | 2.32 |
Households in Cedar Rapids earn about 21.7% less 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 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 (16.8Β°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 Pomona, CA?
The driving distance is 1771 mi and the route typically takes 30h 60m 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 Pomona?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Cedar Rapids is 21.7% lower than Pomona (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 Pomona 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 1771 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 Pomona?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $204,112 in Cedar Rapids vs $690,986 in Pomona β a 70.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Cedar Rapids compare to Pomona?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,670 in the Cedar Rapids MSA vs $50,490 in the Pomona 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.
How does household income compare in Pomona vs Cedar Rapids?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,859 in Cedar Rapids vs $78,869 in Pomona β a 14.0% lower 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 Pomona.
City profiles: Pomona, CA Β· Cedar Rapids, IA.