Moving from San Francisco, CA to Cedar Rapids, IA
Cross-country relocations like San Francisco, CA β Cedar Rapids, IA cover 1942 mi and about 33h 56m of driving through 6 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1942 mi Β· 33h 56m by car Β· CA β NV β UT β WY β NE β IA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β NV β UT β WY β NE β IA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, US 30, US 65 |
| Major cities en route | Santa Rosa, Richmond, Berkeley, Vallejo, Oakland |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Francisco | Cedar Rapids | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 88.963 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 83.981 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 93.73 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 71.447 | 100.0 |
Overall price level runs 23.1% below San Francisco β a substantial cost-of-living drop on the BEA Regional Price Parity (115.613 β 88.963, 2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Cedar Rapids is 23.1% below San Francisco β $1,356,662 vs $204,112 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: San Francisco +5.0%, Cedar Rapids +2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | San Francisco | Cedar Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56Β°F | 48Β°F |
| January avg low | 46Β°F | 11Β°F |
| July avg high | 62Β°F | 83Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 20.6" | 35.9" |
Climate cools by 7.9Β°F on the annual average β 56.2Β°F β 48.3Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN FRANCISCO OCEANSIDE, CA US, CEDAR RAPIDS MUNI AP, IA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Francisco | Cedar Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 836,321 | 136,859 |
| Median household income | $141,446 | $67,859 |
| Median age | 39.7 | 36.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 35.1% | 22.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.31 | 2.32 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 23.1% between San Francisco and Cedar Rapids (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-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 far is Cedar Rapids, IA from San Francisco, CA?
The driving distance is 1942 mi and the route typically takes 33h 56m via I 80 and US 30. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Cedar Rapids compared to San Francisco?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $204,112 in Cedar Rapids vs $1,356,662 in San Francisco β a 85.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Cedar Rapids compare to San Francisco?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,670 in the Cedar Rapids MSA vs $72,050 in the San Francisco MSA, on total employment of 140,020 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from San Francisco 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 1942 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Cedar Rapids more expensive than San Francisco?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Cedar Rapids is 23.1% lower than San Francisco (88.963 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in San Francisco vs Cedar Rapids?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,859 in Cedar Rapids vs $141,446 in San Francisco β a 52.0% 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 San Francisco.
City profiles: San Francisco, CA Β· Cedar Rapids, IA.