Moving from Sandy Springs, GA to Cedar Rapids, IA
It is 831 mi between Sandy Springs and Cedar Rapids β roughly 15h 44m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 6 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
831 mi Β· 15h 44m by car Β· IA β MO β IL β KY β TN β GA
Distance & route
| Route through | IA β MO β IL β KY β TN β GA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 24, IA 27, US 61 |
| Major cities en route | St Louis, Clarksville, Murfreesboro, Chattanooga, Atlanta |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Sandy Springs | Cedar Rapids | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.058 | 88.963 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 96.239 | 83.981 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.416 | 93.73 | 100.0 |
| Services | 111.022 | 71.447 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 11.1% moving from Sandy Springs to Cedar Rapids β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $691,063 in Sandy Springs to $204,112 in Cedar Rapids, a 11.1% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Sandy Springs +2.8%, Cedar Rapids +2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Sandy Springs | Cedar Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 48Β°F |
| January avg low | 33Β°F | 11Β°F |
| July avg high | 89Β°F | 83Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 51.4" | 35.9" |
Annual temperature drops 13.2Β°F moving to Cedar Rapids per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ATLANTA PEACHTREE AP, GA US, CEDAR RAPIDS MUNI AP, IA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Sandy Springs | Cedar Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,198 | 136,859 |
| Median household income | $101,593 | $67,859 |
| Median age | 37.1 | 36.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 39.8% | 22.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.06 | 2.32 |
Cedar Rapids households earn about 11.1% less than Sandy Springs at the median β $101,593 β $67,859 on 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 Georgia 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-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
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 (13.2Β°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 does the job market in Cedar Rapids compare to Sandy Springs?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,670 in the Cedar Rapids MSA vs $48,370 in the Sandy Springs MSA, on total employment of 140,020 and 2,817,660 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Sandy Springs 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 831 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Cedar Rapids, IA from Sandy Springs, GA?
The driving distance is 831 mi and the route typically takes 15h 44m via I 24 and IA 27. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Cedar Rapids compared to Sandy Springs?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $204,112 in Cedar Rapids vs $691,063 in Sandy Springs β a 70.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Cedar Rapids more expensive than Sandy Springs?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Cedar Rapids is 11.1% lower than Sandy Springs (88.963 vs 100.058, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Sandy Springs vs Cedar Rapids?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,859 in Cedar Rapids vs $101,593 in Sandy Springs β a 33.2% 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 Sandy Springs.
City profiles: Sandy Springs, GA Β· Cedar Rapids, IA.