Moving from Denver, CO to Arvada, CO
Relocating from Denver, CO to Arvada, CO? The drive is 19 mi — about 31 min. Local does not always mean identical: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and NOAA climate can all shift a few percent across short distances. The sections below compare each data layer directly.
19 mi · 31 min by car · CO
Distance & route
| Route through | CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, CO 72, CO 35 |
| Major cities en route | Aurora, Centennial, Thornton, Lakewood, Westminster |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Denver | Arvada | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Denver and Arvada sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in Arvada run about 0.0% pricier — ZHVI $539,666 → $616,566 (2026-03).
YoY change: Denver -4.3%, Arvada -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Denver | Arvada |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 18°F | 17°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 88°F |
| Annual snowfall | 49.0" | 75.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 15.4" | 17.1" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 51.4°F vs 50.3°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Arvada sees 75.5 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: DENVER-STAPLETON, CO US, WHEAT RIDGE 2, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Denver | Arvada |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 713,734 | 122,835 |
| Median household income | $91,681 | $113,396 |
| Median age | 35.2 | 40.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.8% | 31.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.17 | 2.47 |
Expect median household income to rise 0.0% — $91,681 → $113,396 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Arvada MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 173,910 | $49,000 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 172,890 | $48,280 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 164,250 | $84,370 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 140,150 | $36,010 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 129,510 | $45,350 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
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
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Arvada averages 75.5 in annually vs 49.0 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- 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.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Denver vs Arvada?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $113,396 in Arvada vs $91,681 in Denver — a 23.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Arvada compare to Denver?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Arvada MSA vs $58,490 in the Denver MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Arvada compared to Denver?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $616,566 in Arvada vs $539,666 in Denver — a 14.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Arvada, CO from Denver, CO?
The driving distance is 19 mi and the route typically takes 31 min via I 70 and CO 72. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Denver and Arvada?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.3°F in Arvada vs 51.4°F in Denver (1.1°F colder). Annual snowfall: 75.5 in vs 49.0 in. Annual precipitation: 17.1 in vs 15.4 in.
When is the best time to move from Denver to Arvada?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 19 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 Denver.
City profiles: Denver, CO · Arvada, CO.