Moving from West Covina, CA to Cedar Rapids, IA
It is 1780 mi and 31h 7m from West Covina to Cedar Rapids β a cross-country move across 7 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.
1780 mi Β· 31h 7m by car Β· IA β NE β CO β UT β AZ β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | IA β NE β CO β UT β AZ β NV β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 80 EXPRESS, I 15 |
| Major cities en route | Des Moines, Omaha, Lincoln, Greeley, Aurora |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| West Covina | Cedar Rapids | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 88.963 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 83.981 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 93.73 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 71.447 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP drops from 113.566 in West Covina to 88.963 in Cedar Rapids, a 21.7% cut on the overall price level (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 21.7% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $852,373 to $204,112 moving to Cedar Rapids.
YoY change: West Covina +0.7%, Cedar Rapids +2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | West Covina | Cedar Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 48Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 11Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 83Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 14.5" | 35.9" |
Expect 16.8Β°F colder on average per year β plan for heating load and winter gear.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: POMONA/FAIRPLEX, CA US, CEDAR RAPIDS MUNI AP, IA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | West Covina | Cedar Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,436 | 136,859 |
| Median household income | $98,570 | $67,859 |
| Median age | 40.1 | 36.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.4% | 22.2% |
| Avg household size | 3.3 | 2.32 |
Expect median household income to fall 21.7% β $98,570 β $67,859 per ACS 5-year estimates (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
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts 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-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- 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 (16.8Β°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 West Covina?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $204,112 in Cedar Rapids vs $852,373 in West Covina β a 76.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Cedar Rapids compare to West Covina?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,670 in the Cedar Rapids MSA vs $50,490 in the West Covina MSA, on total employment of 140,020 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Cedar Rapids more expensive than West Covina?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Cedar Rapids is 21.7% lower than West Covina (88.963 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Cedar Rapids, IA from West Covina, CA?
The driving distance is 1780 mi and the route typically takes 31h 7m via I 70 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from West Covina 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 1780 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in West Covina vs Cedar Rapids?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,859 in Cedar Rapids vs $98,570 in West Covina β a 31.2% 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 West Covina.
City profiles: West Covina, CA Β· Cedar Rapids, IA.