Moving from Arvada, CO to Spokane Valley, WA
The drive from Arvada, CO to Spokane Valley, WA runs 1084 mi β about 18h 12m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
1084 mi Β· 18h 12m by car Β· CO β WY β MT β ID β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | CO β WY β MT β ID β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, I 25, US 87 |
| Major cities en route | Denver, Aurora, Lakewood, Centennial, Westminster |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Arvada | Spokane Valley | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 100.346 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 91.196 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 105.028 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 97.059 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 105.782 to 100.346, putting Spokane Valley roughly 5.1% below Arvada on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Spokane Valley: 5.1% below Arvada on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Arvada -2.5%, Spokane Valley +0.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Arvada | Spokane Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 17Β°F | 26Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 75.5" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 17.1" | 17.4" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WHEAT RIDGE 2, CO US, SPOKANE FELTS FLD, WA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Arvada | Spokane Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,835 | 105,460 |
| Median household income | $113,396 | $70,722 |
| Median age | 40.2 | 37.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.7% | 16.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.47 | 2.47 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 5.1% between Arvada and Spokane Valley (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Spokane Valley MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 31,380 | $46,000 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 23,780 | $38,530 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 22,620 | $44,880 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 22,480 | $35,500 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 17,820 | $95,340 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and Washington
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Washington'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
- 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.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- Montana interstates can close without notice in winter storms β check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Wildfire season east of the Cascades peaks July through September; earthquake preparedness is standard west of the mountains.
- 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 Washington after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Spokane Valley compared to Arvada?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $408,888 in Spokane Valley vs $616,566 in Arvada β a 33.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Spokane Valley more expensive than Arvada?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Spokane Valley is 5.1% lower than Arvada (100.346 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Spokane Valley compare to Arvada?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,920 in the Spokane Valley MSA vs $58,490 in the Arvada MSA, on total employment of 255,160 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Spokane Valley, WA from Arvada, CO?
The driving distance is 1084 mi and the route typically takes 18h 12m via I 90 and I 25. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Arvada to Spokane Valley?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1084 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Arvada vs Spokane Valley?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $70,722 in Spokane Valley vs $113,396 in Arvada β a 37.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Arvada.
City profiles: Arvada, CO Β· Spokane Valley, WA.