Moving from Arvada, CO to Long Beach, CA
Relocating 1028 mi from Arvada to Long Beach is a 18h 7m drive through 5 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1028 mi Β· 18h 7m by car Β· CA β NV β AZ β UT β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β NV β AZ β UT β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 15, US 66 HIST |
| Major cities en route | Torrance, Santa Ana, Irvine, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Arvada | Long Beach | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Long Beach runs about 7.4% more expensive overall than Arvada β RPP 105.782 β 113.566.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $616,566 in Arvada to $857,861 in Long Beach, a 7.4% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Arvada -2.5%, Long Beach +0.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Arvada | Long Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 17Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 75.5" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 17.1" | 12.0" |
Expect 14.6Β°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WHEAT RIDGE 2, CO US, LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Arvada | Long Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,835 | 458,491 |
| Median household income | $113,396 | $83,969 |
| Median age | 40.2 | 36.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.7% | 22.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.47 | 2.68 |
Expect median household income to fall 7.4% β $113,396 β $83,969 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Long Beach MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter 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 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- 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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Dry climate: Long Beach sees only 12.0 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (14.6Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Long Beach compared to Arvada?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $857,861 in Long Beach vs $616,566 in Arvada β a 39.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Arvada to Long Beach?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1028 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Long Beach more expensive than Arvada?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Long Beach is 7.4% higher than Arvada (113.566 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Long Beach compare to Arvada?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Long Beach MSA vs $58,490 in the Arvada MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Arvada vs Long Beach?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $83,969 in Long Beach vs $113,396 in Arvada β a 26.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Long Beach, CA from Arvada, CO?
The driving distance is 1028 mi and the route typically takes 18h 7m via I 70 and I 15. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Arvada.
City profiles: Arvada, CO Β· Long Beach, CA.