Moving from Tacoma, WA to Cedar Rapids, IA
Cross-country relocations like Tacoma, WA β Cedar Rapids, IA cover 1838 mi and about 32h 26m of driving through 5 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.
1838 mi Β· 32h 26m by car Β· WA β ID β MT β SD β IA
Distance & route
| Route through | WA β ID β MT β SD β IA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, US 14, SD 79 |
| Major cities en route | Kent, Seattle, Bellevue, Renton, Spokane |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tacoma | Cedar Rapids | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 88.963 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 83.981 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 93.73 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 71.447 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Cedar Rapids are 19.9% below Tacoma β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
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 19.9% under Tacoma at $493,840 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Tacoma -0.9%, Cedar Rapids +2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Tacoma | Cedar Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 48Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 11Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 83Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 40.8" | 35.9" |
Climate cools by 5.4Β°F on the annual average β 53.7Β°F β 48.3Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: TACOMA #1, WA US, CEDAR RAPIDS MUNI AP, IA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tacoma | Cedar Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,482 | 136,859 |
| Median household income | $83,857 | $67,859 |
| Median age | 37.3 | 36.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21% | 22.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.41 | 2.32 |
Income steps down 19.9%: $83,857 in Tacoma vs $67,859 in Cedar Rapids.
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 Washington 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
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Montana interstates can close without notice in winter storms β check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.
- I-90 across western South Dakota can close in ground blizzards β check SD 511 November through April.
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 Tacoma vs Cedar Rapids?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,859 in Cedar Rapids vs $83,857 in Tacoma β a 19.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Cedar Rapids compare to Tacoma?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,670 in the Cedar Rapids MSA vs $65,260 in the Tacoma MSA, on total employment of 140,020 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Cedar Rapids more expensive than Tacoma?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Cedar Rapids is 19.9% lower than Tacoma (88.963 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Cedar Rapids, IA from Tacoma, WA?
The driving distance is 1838 mi and the route typically takes 32h 26m via I 90 and US 14. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Cedar Rapids compared to Tacoma?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $204,112 in Cedar Rapids vs $493,840 in Tacoma β a 58.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Tacoma 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 1838 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Tacoma.
City profiles: Tacoma, WA Β· Cedar Rapids, IA.