Moving from El Monte, CA to Arvada, CO
A move from El Monte, CA to Arvada, CO covers 1002 mi and around 17h 32m of driving through 5 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.
1002 mi · 17h 32m by car · CO → UT → AZ → NV → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CO → UT → AZ → NV → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 15, I 15 ALT |
| Major cities en route | Thornton, Westminster, Boulder, Denver, Aurora |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| El Monte | Arvada | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Arvada are 6.9% below El Monte — a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow typical home value is 6.9% lower in Arvada than El Monte as of 2026-03.
YoY change: El Monte +0.8%, Arvada -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | El Monte | Arvada |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 46°F | 17°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 88°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 75.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 15.7" | 17.1" |
NOAA normals show Arvada running 15.7°F below El Monte on the annual mean.
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: SAN GABRIEL FIRE DEPT, CA US, WHEAT RIDGE 2, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | El Monte | Arvada |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,066 | 122,835 |
| Median household income | $64,484 | $113,396 |
| Median age | 38.1 | 40.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 11.4% | 31.7% |
| Avg household size | 3.62 | 2.47 |
Median household income in Arvada is 6.9% above El Monte ($64,484 vs $113,396, ACS 5-year 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.
Moving between California and Colorado
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Colorado'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 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-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- 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
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Arvada averages 75.5 in annually vs 0.0 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (15.7°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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 Colorado after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Arvada more expensive than El Monte?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Arvada is 6.9% lower than El Monte (105.782 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between El Monte and Arvada?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.3°F in Arvada vs 66.0°F in El Monte (15.7°F colder). Annual snowfall: 75.5 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 17.1 in vs 15.7 in.
How much do homes cost in Arvada compared to El Monte?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $616,566 in Arvada vs $765,444 in El Monte — a 19.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in El Monte vs Arvada?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $113,396 in Arvada vs $64,484 in El Monte — a 75.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Arvada compare to El Monte?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Arvada MSA vs $50,490 in the El Monte MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from El Monte 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 1002 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Arvada, CO from El Monte, CA?
The driving distance is 1002 mi and the route typically takes 17h 32m via I 70 and I 15. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from El Monte.
City profiles: El Monte, CA · Arvada, CO.