Moving from Arvada, CO to Oxnard, CA
Relocating 1072 mi from Arvada to Oxnard is a 18h 58m 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.
1072 mi Β· 18h 58m 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 | San Buenaventura, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Santa Clarita, Los Angeles |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Arvada | Oxnard | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 110.534 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 152.925 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 171.096 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
4.5% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Arvada -2.5%, Oxnard -0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Arvada | Oxnard |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 61Β°F |
| January avg low | 17Β°F | 46Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 73Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 75.5" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 17.1" | 12.9" |
Expect 10.9Β°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WHEAT RIDGE 2, CO US, OXNARD VENTURA CO AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Arvada | Oxnard |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,835 | 201,014 |
| Median household income | $113,396 | $93,372 |
| Median age | 40.2 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.7% | 13.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.47 | 3.88 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 4.5% lower in Oxnard than Arvada.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Oxnard MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 35,690 | $47,840 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 33,940 | $34,820 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 29,050 | $37,470 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 23,520 | $39,670 |
| Management Occupations | 20,990 | $124,680 |
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: Oxnard sees only 12.9 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 (10.9Β°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 far is Oxnard, CA from Arvada, CO?
The driving distance is 1072 mi and the route typically takes 18h 58m via I 70 and I 15. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Oxnard more expensive than Arvada?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Oxnard is 4.5% higher than Arvada (110.534 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Arvada vs Oxnard?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $93,372 in Oxnard vs $113,396 in Arvada β a 17.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Oxnard compared to Arvada?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $767,291 in Oxnard vs $616,566 in Arvada β a 24.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Arvada to Oxnard?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1072 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Oxnard compare to Arvada?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,380 in the Oxnard MSA vs $58,490 in the Arvada MSA, on total employment of 315,720 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Arvada.
City profiles: Arvada, CO Β· Oxnard, CA.