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State-to-State Guide

Moving from Iowa to California

Compare cost of living, taxes, housing, and find the best moving companies for your Iowa to California move.

Quick Comparison

Leaving Iowa

Population3.2M
State Income Tax4.4%-6%
Avg Home Price$200,000
Avg Rent$950/mo
Property Tax Rate1.57%
DESTINATION

Moving to California

Population39.5M
State Income Tax1%-13.3%
Avg Home Price$785,000
Avg Rent$2,200/mo
Property Tax Rate0.76%

Why Are People Moving from Iowa to California?

The migration corridor between Iowa and California is a popular interstate move. Thousands of households explore this route every year.

Cost of Living: The cost of living in California is higher than Iowa, but many movers find the tradeoffs worthwhile. Housing in California costs about $585,000 more on average, so budget accordingly.

Climate & Weather: Both states have similar summer temperatures. Winters in California average 55°F, compared to 22°F in Iowa.

Jobs & Industry: California's key industries include Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture, which attract professionals from Iowa's Agriculture and Insurance sectors.

Popular City-to-City Routes

1865 mi
33.9h drive
Des Moines, IA
Los Angeles, CA
via I-90 West
1856 mi
33.7h drive
Des Moines, IA
San Diego, CA
via I-90 West
1987 mi
36.1h drive
Des Moines, IA
San Jose, CA
via I-90 West
2010 mi
36.5h drive
Des Moines, IA
San Francisco, CA
via I-90 West
1866 mi
33.9h drive
Des Moines, IA
Fresno, CA
via I-90 West
1926 mi
35h drive
Des Moines, IA
Sacramento, CA
via I-90 West
1863 mi
33.9h drive
Des Moines, IA
Bakersfield, CA
via I-90 West
1853 mi
33.7h drive
Des Moines, IA
Anaheim, CA
via I-90 West
1854 mi
33.7h drive
Des Moines, IA
Santa Ana, CA
via I-90 West
1874 mi
34.1h drive
Des Moines, IA
Long Beach, CA
via I-90 West

Cities in Iowa

Des Moines

Population214K
Median Home Price$200,000

Other Major Cities

Cedar Rapids
Davenport
Iowa City

Cities in California

Los Angeles

Population4.0M
Median Home Price$850,000

San Diego

Population1.4M
Median Home Price$850,000

San Jose

Population1.0M
Median Home Price$1,200,000

San Francisco

Population874K
Median Home Price$1,400,000

Fresno

Population542K
Median Home Price$340,000

Sacramento

Population525K
Median Home Price$430,000

Bakersfield

Population403K
Median Home Price$340,000

Anaheim

Population350K
Median Home Price$750,000

Santa Ana

Population309K
Median Home Price$700,000

Long Beach

Population467K
Median Home Price$700,000

Estimated Moving Cost

Based on the average distance of 1895 miles between Iowa and California:

Studio / 1 BR
$1,748
3–4 BR Home
$4,274

Estimates based on typical full-service interstate moves. Actual costs vary.

Iowa → California Transition Checklist

Driver's License

You must obtain a California driver's license within 10 days of establishing residency.

Vehicle Registration

Register your vehicle in California within 20 days.

Voter Registration

Update your voter registration to California after establishing residency. You can typically register at your local DMV or online.

Vehicle Inspection

California vehicle inspection requirement: Smog check required.

Things to Know About California

  • • Smog certification required for vehicle registration
  • • Proposition 13 limits property tax increases
  • • Lane splitting on motorcycles is legal

What's Different: Iowa vs California

Taxes

Iowa Income Tax:4.4%-6%
California Income Tax:1%-13.3%
Iowa Property Tax:1.57%
California Property Tax:0.76%

Weather

Iowa Summer Avg:83°F
California Summer Avg:85°F
Iowa Winter Avg:22°F
California Winter Avg:55°F

Cost of Living

Iowa COL Index:90
California COL Index:150
Iowa Avg Home Price:$200,000
California Avg Home Price:$785,000
Iowa Avg Rent:$950/mo
California Avg Rent:$2,200/mo

Ready to make the move to California?

Get quotes from interstate carriers that regularly run routes between Iowa and California.