Moving from Arvada, CO to Oklahoma City, OK
Relocating 687 mi from Arvada to Oklahoma City is a 11h 49m drive through 3 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.
687 mi · 11h 49m by car · OK → KS → CO
Distance & route
| Route through | OK → KS → CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, US 40, I 35 |
| Major cities en route | Norman, Wichita, Aurora, Centennial, Denver |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Arvada | Oklahoma City | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 90.408 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 74.067 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 93.778 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 73.885 | 100.0 |
Expect about 14.5% lower overall cost of living — BEA RPP 2024 has Oklahoma City at 90.408 vs Arvada at 105.782.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 14.5% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $616,566 to $206,713 moving to Oklahoma City.
YoY change: Arvada -2.5%, Oklahoma City -0.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Arvada | Oklahoma City |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50°F | 60°F |
| January avg low | 17°F | 27°F |
| July avg high | 88°F | 93°F |
| Annual snowfall | 75.5" | 6.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 17.1" | 36.4" |
Expect 9.8°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Oklahoma City averages 6.7 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WHEAT RIDGE 2, CO US, OKLAHOMA CITY WILL ROGERS AP, OK US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Arvada | Oklahoma City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,835 | 688,693 |
| Median household income | $113,396 | $66,702 |
| Median age | 40.2 | 35 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.7% | 21.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.47 | 2.5 |
Expect median household income to fall 14.5% — $113,396 → $66,702 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Oklahoma City MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 91,690 | $40,050 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 68,430 | $26,100 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 60,820 | $36,060 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 59,770 | $34,460 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 43,490 | $76,980 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and Oklahoma
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Oklahoma'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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Oklahoma City average 93°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Tornado season peaks April through June — identify a safe room or interior space in the new home on day one.
- 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 Oklahoma after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Oklahoma City compare to Arvada?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,030 in the Oklahoma City MSA vs $58,490 in the Arvada MSA, on total employment of 656,800 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Oklahoma City, OK from Arvada, CO?
The driving distance is 687 mi and the route typically takes 11h 49m via I 70 and US 40. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Oklahoma City more expensive than Arvada?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Oklahoma City is 14.5% lower than Arvada (90.408 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 Oklahoma City?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 687 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Arvada and Oklahoma City?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 60.1°F in Oklahoma City vs 50.3°F in Arvada (9.8°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 6.7 in vs 75.5 in. Annual precipitation: 36.4 in vs 17.1 in.
How does household income compare in Arvada vs Oklahoma City?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $66,702 in Oklahoma City vs $113,396 in Arvada — a 41.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Oklahoma City compared to Arvada?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $206,713 in Oklahoma City vs $616,566 in Arvada — a 66.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Arvada.
City profiles: Arvada, CO · Oklahoma City, OK.