Moving from San Mateo, CA to Cedar Rapids, IA
Cross-country relocations like San Mateo, CA β Cedar Rapids, IA cover 1932 mi and about 33h 17m 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.
1932 mi Β· 33h 17m by car Β· IA β NE β WY β UT β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | IA β NE β WY β UT β NV β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 80 EXPRESS, US 30 |
| Major cities en route | Des Moines, Omaha, Lincoln, Salt Lake City, West Jordan |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Mateo | 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 prices in Cedar Rapids come in 23.1% under San Mateo β expect rent and services to carry most of that gap.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Cedar Rapids typical home at $204,112 is 23.1% under San Mateo at $1,686,905 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: San Mateo +0.6%, Cedar Rapids +2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | San Mateo | Cedar Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 48Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 11Β°F |
| July avg high | 73Β°F | 83Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 19.6" | 35.9" |
Climate cools by 10.4Β°F on the annual average β 58.7Β°F β 48.3Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN FRANCISCO INTL AP, CA US, CEDAR RAPIDS MUNI AP, IA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Mateo | Cedar Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 103,555 | 136,859 |
| Median household income | $152,669 | $67,859 |
| Median age | 38 | 36.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.4% | 22.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.32 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 23.1% between San Mateo 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
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 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-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 (10.4Β°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 much do homes cost in Cedar Rapids compared to San Mateo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $204,112 in Cedar Rapids vs $1,686,905 in San Mateo β a 87.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Cedar Rapids, IA from San Mateo, CA?
The driving distance is 1932 mi and the route typically takes 33h 17m via I 80 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Cedar Rapids more expensive than San Mateo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Cedar Rapids is 23.1% lower than San Mateo (88.963 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from San Mateo 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 1932 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 San Mateo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,670 in the Cedar Rapids MSA vs $72,050 in the San Mateo 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.
How does household income compare in San Mateo vs Cedar Rapids?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,859 in Cedar Rapids vs $152,669 in San Mateo β a 55.6% 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 Mateo.
City profiles: San Mateo, CA Β· Cedar Rapids, IA.