Moving from Denver, CO to Richmond, CA
The drive from Denver, CO to Richmond, CA runs 1239 mi — about 21h 18m 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.
1239 mi · 21h 18m by car · CO → WY → UT → NV → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CO → WY → UT → NV → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 25, US 287 |
| Major cities en route | Aurora, Centennial, Lakewood, Arvada, Thornton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Denver | Richmond | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Richmond is 9.3% higher than Denver, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Richmond is 9.3% above Denver ($606,427 vs $539,666 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Denver -4.3%, Richmond -5.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Denver | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51°F | 59°F |
| January avg low | 18°F | 44°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 71°F |
| Annual snowfall | 49.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 15.4" | 24.4" |
Climate warms by 7.4°F on the annual average — 51.4°F → 58.8°F.
Richmond 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: DENVER-STAPLETON, CO US, RICHMOND, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Denver | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 713,734 | 115,396 |
| Median household income | $91,681 | $90,038 |
| Median age | 35.2 | 37.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.8% | 20.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.17 | 2.85 |
Median household incomes in Denver ($91,681) and Richmond ($90,038) are within a few percent (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Richmond MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 244,380 | $59,630 |
| Management Occupations | 237,070 | $171,350 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 211,250 | $104,950 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 194,040 | $39,200 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 183,930 | $49,390 |
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
- 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.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- 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.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- 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
What is the climate difference between Denver and Richmond?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 58.8°F in Richmond vs 51.4°F in Denver (7.4°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 49.0 in. Annual precipitation: 24.4 in vs 15.4 in.
How much do homes cost in Richmond compared to Denver?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $606,427 in Richmond vs $539,666 in Denver — a 12.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Denver vs Richmond?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,038 in Richmond vs $91,681 in Denver — a 1.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Richmond more expensive than Denver?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Richmond is 9.3% higher than Denver (115.613 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Richmond, CA from Denver, CO?
The driving distance is 1239 mi and the route typically takes 21h 18m via I 80 and I 25. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Denver to Richmond?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1239 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Richmond compare to Denver?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Richmond MSA vs $58,490 in the Denver MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 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 Denver.
City profiles: Denver, CO · Richmond, CA.