Moving from Arvada, CO to Colorado Springs, CO
It is a 83 mi drive, roughly 1h 43m, between Arvada, CO and Colorado Springs, CO. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
83 mi · 1h 43m by car · CO
Distance & route
| Route through | CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 25, I 70, CO 72 |
| Major cities en route | Centennial, Aurora, Denver, Thornton, Lakewood |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Arvada | Colorado Springs | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 100.707 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 83.195 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 96.052 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 116.207 | 100.0 |
Arvada and Colorado Springs sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $616,566 in Arvada to $449,452 in Colorado Springs, a 4.8% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Arvada -2.5%, Colorado Springs -2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Arvada | Colorado Springs |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50°F | 51°F |
| January avg low | 17°F | 19°F |
| July avg high | 88°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 75.5" | 32.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 17.1" | 15.9" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 50.3°F vs 50.5°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Colorado Springs sees 32.5 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WHEAT RIDGE 2, CO US, COLORADO SPRINGS MUNI AP, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Arvada | Colorado Springs |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,835 | 483,099 |
| Median household income | $113,396 | $83,198 |
| Median age | 40.2 | 35.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.7% | 25.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.47 | 2.44 |
Colorado Springs households earn about 4.8% less than Arvada at the median — $113,396 → $83,198 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Colorado Springs MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 36,150 | $44,860 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 31,520 | $34,430 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 30,370 | $38,520 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 26,830 | $79,240 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 21,400 | $37,380 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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 — check CDOT alerts before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Colorado Springs averages 32.5 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- 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.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Colorado Springs compared to Arvada?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $449,452 in Colorado Springs vs $616,566 in Arvada — a 27.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Colorado Springs compare to Arvada?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,310 in the Colorado Springs MSA vs $58,490 in the Arvada MSA, on total employment of 310,390 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Colorado Springs, CO from Arvada, CO?
The driving distance is 83 mi and the route typically takes 1h 43m via I 25 and I 70. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Arvada to Colorado Springs?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 83 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Arvada vs Colorado Springs?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $83,198 in Colorado Springs vs $113,396 in Arvada — a 26.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Colorado Springs more expensive than Arvada?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Colorado Springs is 4.8% lower than Arvada (100.707 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Arvada and Colorado Springs?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.5°F in Colorado Springs vs 50.3°F in Arvada (0.2°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 32.5 in vs 75.5 in. Annual precipitation: 15.9 in vs 17.1 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Arvada.
City profiles: Arvada, CO · Colorado Springs, CO.