Moving from Reno, NV to Cedar Rapids, IA
It is 1700 mi and 28h 49m from Reno to Cedar Rapids β a cross-country move across 5 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1700 mi Β· 28h 49m by car Β· NV β UT β WY β NE β IA
Distance & route
| Route through | NV β UT β WY β NE β IA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, US 30, US 65 |
| Major cities en route | Sparks, Salt Lake City, West Valley City, West Jordan, Lincoln |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Reno | Cedar Rapids | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 101.014 | 88.963 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.274 | 83.981 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.271 | 93.73 | 100.0 |
| Services | 123.478 | 71.447 | 100.0 |
Expect about 11.9% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Cedar Rapids at 88.963 vs Reno at 101.014.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 11.9% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $567,857 to $204,112 moving to Cedar Rapids.
YoY change: Reno -0.4%, Cedar Rapids +2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Reno | Cedar Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55Β°F | 48Β°F |
| January avg low | 27Β°F | 11Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 83Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 29.7" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 8.1" | 35.9" |
Expect 6.2Β°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RENO WFO, NV US, CEDAR RAPIDS MUNI AP, IA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Reno | Cedar Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 268,959 | 136,859 |
| Median household income | $78,448 | $67,859 |
| Median age | 37.3 | 36.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.4% | 22.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.4 | 2.32 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 11.9% lower in Cedar Rapids than Reno.
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 Nevada 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
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- 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-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- 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 does household income compare in Reno vs Cedar Rapids?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,859 in Cedar Rapids vs $78,448 in Reno β a 13.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Cedar Rapids more expensive than Reno?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Cedar Rapids is 11.9% lower than Reno (88.963 vs 101.014, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Reno 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 1700 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Cedar Rapids compare to Reno?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,670 in the Cedar Rapids MSA vs $47,540 in the Reno MSA, on total employment of 140,020 and 254,100 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Cedar Rapids, IA from Reno, NV?
The driving distance is 1700 mi and the route typically takes 28h 49m via I 80 and US 30. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Cedar Rapids compared to Reno?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $204,112 in Cedar Rapids vs $567,857 in Reno β a 64.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Reno.
City profiles: Reno, NV Β· Cedar Rapids, IA.