Moving from Denver, CO to Sparks, NV
A move from Denver, CO to Sparks, NV covers 1035 mi and around 17h 23m of driving through 4 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
1035 mi · 17h 23m by car · CO → WY → UT → NV
Distance & route
| Route through | CO → WY → UT → NV |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 25, US 287 |
| Major cities en route | Aurora, Centennial, Lakewood, Arvada, Westminster |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Denver | Sparks | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 101.014 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 89.274 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 96.271 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 123.478 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Sparks and Denver is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home values in Denver and Sparks are within 5% of each other ($539,666 vs $529,283 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Denver -4.3%, Sparks -0.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Denver | Sparks |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51°F | 54°F |
| January avg low | 18°F | 25°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 49.0" | 6.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 15.4" | 8.4" |
Annual average temperatures in Denver (51.4°F) and Sparks (53.5°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Sparks averages 6.8 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: DENVER-STAPLETON, CO US, SPARKS, NV US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Denver | Sparks |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 713,734 | 109,106 |
| Median household income | $91,681 | $86,979 |
| Median age | 35.2 | 36.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.8% | 16.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.17 | 2.64 |
Median household income in Sparks is 4.5% below Denver ($91,681 → $86,979, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Sparks MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 30,990 | $45,200 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 30,330 | $42,130 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 23,210 | $30,270 |
| Management Occupations | 21,700 | $97,370 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 19,500 | $36,430 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and Nevada
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Nevada'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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Sparks average 92°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Sparks sees only 8.4 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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 Nevada after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Denver to Sparks?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1035 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Sparks more expensive than Denver?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Sparks is 4.5% lower than Denver (101.014 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Sparks, NV from Denver, CO?
The driving distance is 1035 mi and the route typically takes 17h 23m via I 80 and I 25. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Sparks compare to Denver?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,540 in the Sparks MSA vs $58,490 in the Denver MSA, on total employment of 254,100 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Denver vs Sparks?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $86,979 in Sparks vs $91,681 in Denver — a 5.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Denver and Sparks?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 53.5°F in Sparks vs 51.4°F in Denver (2.1°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 6.8 in vs 49.0 in. Annual precipitation: 8.4 in vs 15.4 in.
How much do homes cost in Sparks compared to Denver?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $529,283 in Sparks vs $539,666 in Denver — a 1.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Denver.
City profiles: Denver, CO · Sparks, NV.