Moving from Kent, WA to Arvada, CO
Relocating 1301 mi from Kent to Arvada is a 22h 41m drive through 6 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1301 mi Β· 22h 41m by car Β· WA β OR β ID β UT β WY β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | WA β OR β ID β UT β WY β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 84, US 30, I 80 |
| Major cities en route | Seattle, Tacoma, Renton, Bellevue, Nampa |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Kent | Arvada | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 4.8% under Kent β $656,314 β $616,566 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Kent -2.1%, Arvada -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Kent | Arvada |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 17Β°F |
| July avg high | 78Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 75.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.1" | 17.1" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Heavy-snow city: expect 75.5 in of snowfall annually at Arvada.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: KENT, WA US, WHEAT RIDGE 2, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Kent | Arvada |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,015 | 122,835 |
| Median household income | $90,416 | $113,396 |
| Median age | 35.3 | 40.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.1% | 31.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.89 | 2.47 |
Expect median household income to rise 4.8% β $90,416 β $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.
Moving between Washington 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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% 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
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- 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 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Arvada averages 75.5 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- 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
How does household income compare in Kent vs Arvada?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $113,396 in Arvada vs $90,416 in Kent β a 25.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Arvada compared to Kent?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $616,566 in Arvada vs $656,314 in Kent β a 6.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Arvada compare to Kent?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Arvada MSA vs $65,260 in the Kent MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Arvada more expensive than Kent?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Arvada is 4.8% lower than Kent (105.782 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Arvada, CO from Kent, WA?
The driving distance is 1301 mi and the route typically takes 22h 41m via I 84 and US 30. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Kent to Arvada?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1301 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β 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 Kent.
City profiles: Kent, WA Β· Arvada, CO.