Moving from Manchester, NH to Arvada, CO
A 2015 mi cross-country move between Manchester and Arvada is 36h 58m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 11 states. Nearly every household line — rent, taxes, climate, commute — usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
2015 mi · 36h 58m by car · CO → NE → IA → IL → IN → OH → PA → NY → CT → MA → NH
Distance & route
| Route through | CO → NE → IA → IL → IN → OH → PA → NY → CT → MA → NH |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 90, I 84 |
| Major cities en route | Lakewood, Boulder, Denver, Westminster, Centennial |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Manchester | Arvada | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.657 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 133.535 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 97.687 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 134.22 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 105.657 vs 105.782 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 0.1% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $435,334 to $616,566 moving to Arvada.
YoY change: Manchester +1.5%, Arvada -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Manchester | Arvada |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 47°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 13°F | 17°F |
| July avg high | 81°F | 88°F |
| Annual snowfall | 52.8" | 75.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 42.5" | 17.1" |
Annual average temperatures in Manchester (47.4°F) and Arvada (50.3°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Arvada averages 75.5 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: MASSABESIC LAKE, NH US, WHEAT RIDGE 2, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Manchester | Arvada |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,415 | 122,835 |
| Median household income | $77,415 | $113,396 |
| Median age | 37.9 | 40.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.5% | 31.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.33 | 2.47 |
Arvada households earn about 0.1% more than Manchester at the median — $77,415 → $113,396 on ACS 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 New Hampshire 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.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- Lake-effect off Lake Ontario can shut down I-81 and I-90 for hours in winter — check 511NY.
- I-93 through Franconia Notch sees heavy winter weather — check NH 511.
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 52.8 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.
- Register to vote in Colorado after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Arvada more expensive than Manchester?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Arvada is 0.1% higher than Manchester (105.782 vs 105.657, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Manchester and Arvada?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.3°F in Arvada vs 47.4°F in Manchester (2.9°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 75.5 in vs 52.8 in. Annual precipitation: 17.1 in vs 42.5 in.
When is the best time to move from Manchester 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 2015 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Arvada, CO from Manchester, NH?
The driving distance is 2015 mi and the route typically takes 36h 58m via I 80 and I 90. The trip crosses 11 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Arvada compared to Manchester?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $616,566 in Arvada vs $435,334 in Manchester — a 41.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Manchester vs Arvada?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $113,396 in Arvada vs $77,415 in Manchester — a 46.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Manchester.
City profiles: Manchester, NH · Arvada, CO.