Moving from Colorado Springs, CO to Los Angeles, CA
The drive from Colorado Springs, CO to Los Angeles, CA runs 1092 mi — about 19h 17m 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.
1092 mi · 19h 17m by car · CA → NV → AZ → UT → CO
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → NV → AZ → UT → CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 15, I 25 |
| Major cities en route | Torrance, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Santa Clarita, Inglewood |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Colorado Springs | Los Angeles | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.707 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.195 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.052 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 116.207 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Los Angeles is 12.8% higher than Colorado Springs, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Los Angeles is 12.8% above Colorado Springs — $449,452 vs $952,183 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Colorado Springs -2.2%, Los Angeles -1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Colorado Springs | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51°F | 64°F |
| January avg low | 19°F | 48°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 78°F |
| Annual snowfall | 32.5" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 15.9" | 14.1" |
Climate warms by 13.3°F on the annual average — 50.5°F → 63.8°F.
Los Angeles gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: COLORADO SPRINGS MUNI AP, CO US, CULVER CITY, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Colorado Springs | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 483,099 | 3,857,897 |
| Median household income | $83,198 | $80,366 |
| Median age | 35.6 | 36.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.2% | 24.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.44 | 2.72 |
Median household incomes in Colorado Springs ($83,198) and Los Angeles ($80,366) are within a few percent (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Los Angeles 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 — 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
- 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 — check CDOT alerts before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Dry climate: Los Angeles sees only 14.1 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 (13.3°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 — 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 does household income compare in Colorado Springs vs Los Angeles?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $80,366 in Los Angeles vs $83,198 in Colorado Springs — a 3.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Colorado Springs and Los Angeles?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 63.8°F in Los Angeles vs 50.5°F in Colorado Springs (13.3°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 32.5 in. Annual precipitation: 14.1 in vs 15.9 in.
How far is Los Angeles, CA from Colorado Springs, CO?
The driving distance is 1092 mi and the route typically takes 19h 17m via I 70 and I 15. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Los Angeles compare to Colorado Springs?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Los Angeles MSA vs $49,310 in the Colorado Springs MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 310,390 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Los Angeles compared to Colorado Springs?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $952,183 in Los Angeles vs $449,452 in Colorado Springs — a 111.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Colorado Springs to Los Angeles?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1092 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Los Angeles more expensive than Colorado Springs?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Los Angeles is 12.8% higher than Colorado Springs (113.566 vs 100.707, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Colorado Springs.
City profiles: Colorado Springs, CO · Los Angeles, CA.