Moving from Arvada, CO to Nampa, ID
Relocating 834 mi from Arvada to Nampa is a 14h 3m drive through 4 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
834 mi · 14h 3m by car · CO → WY → UT → ID
Distance & route
| Route through | CO → WY → UT → ID |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 84, I 80, I 25 |
| Major cities en route | Denver, Lakewood, Centennial, Westminster, Boulder |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Arvada | Nampa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 98.391 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 70.695 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 96.179 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 105.58 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 7.0% cheaper overall in Nampa than Arvada on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
7.0% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Arvada -2.5%, Nampa +0.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Arvada | Nampa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50°F | 52°F |
| January avg low | 17°F | 23°F |
| July avg high | 88°F | 93°F |
| Annual snowfall | 75.5" | 9.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 17.1" | 11.0" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Light snow year: Nampa gets around 9.7 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WHEAT RIDGE 2, CO US, NAMPA SUGAR FACTORY, ID US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Arvada | Nampa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,835 | 106,289 |
| Median household income | $113,396 | $72,122 |
| Median age | 40.2 | 34.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.7% | 16.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.47 | 2.85 |
Expect median household income to fall 7.0% — $113,396 → $72,122 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Nampa MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 49,860 | $40,850 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 32,370 | $39,170 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 31,530 | $29,290 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 31,420 | $37,030 |
| Management Occupations | 29,410 | $89,660 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and Idaho
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Idaho'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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — check WYDOT 511 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.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Nampa average 93°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Nampa sees only 11.0 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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 Idaho after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
What is the climate difference between Arvada and Nampa?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 52.0°F in Nampa vs 50.3°F in Arvada (1.7°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 9.7 in vs 75.5 in. Annual precipitation: 11.0 in vs 17.1 in.
How does the job market in Nampa compare to Arvada?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,320 in the Nampa MSA vs $58,490 in the Arvada MSA, on total employment of 372,470 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 Nampa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $72,122 in Nampa vs $113,396 in Arvada — a 36.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Nampa, ID from Arvada, CO?
The driving distance is 834 mi and the route typically takes 14h 3m via I 84 and I 80. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Nampa compared to Arvada?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $412,277 in Nampa vs $616,566 in Arvada — a 33.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Nampa more expensive than Arvada?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Nampa is 7.0% lower than Arvada (98.391 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Arvada to Nampa?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 834 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — 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 Arvada.
City profiles: Arvada, CO · Nampa, ID.