Moving from Moreno Valley, CA to Arvada, CO

It is 991 mi between Moreno Valley and Arvada β€” roughly 17h 22m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.

991 mi Β· 17h 22m by car Β· CA β†’ NV β†’ AZ β†’ UT β†’ CO

COL -0.6% Home values +11.8% Ξ” -13.0Β°F annual

Distance & route

Driving
991 mi
Drive time
17h 22m
States
5
Fuel (25 mpg)
40 gal
Route throughCA β†’ NV β†’ AZ β†’ UT β†’ CO
Primary highwaysI 70, I 15, US 66 HIST
Major cities en routeMurrieta, Temecula, Menifee, Riverside, Corona

Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.

Cost of living

Moreno ValleyArvadaU.S. avg
All items (RPP)106.442105.782100.0
Rents148.64187.856100.0
Goods101.431100.957100.0
Services129.312146.919100.0

Overall price level is comparable β€” 106.442 vs 105.782 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.

Housing prices

Moreno Valley β€” typical home
$551,284
Arvada β€” typical home
$616,566
Moreno Valley β€” typical rent
$2,361/mo
Arvada β€” typical rent
$2,073/mo

Expect roughly 0.6% higher home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).

YoY change: Moreno Valley -1.5%, Arvada -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.

Climate

1991–2020 normalsMoreno ValleyArvada
Annual avg temperature63Β°F50Β°F
January avg low37Β°F17Β°F
July avg high94Β°F88Β°F
Annual snowfallβ€”75.5"
Annual precipitation10.7"17.1"

Annual temperature drops 13.0Β°F moving to Arvada per NOAA normals.

Arvada averages 75.5 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals β€” a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.

Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: MARCH AFB, CA US, WHEAT RIDGE 2, CO US).

Demographics

ACS 5-year 2023Moreno ValleyArvada
Population210,378122,835
Median household income$87,477$113,396
Median age32.140.2
Bachelor's degree or higher12.1%31.7%
Avg household size3.842.47

Arvada households earn about 0.6% more than Moreno Valley at the median β€” $87,477 β†’ $113,396 on ACS 2023.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.

Jobs & wages

Moreno Valley MSA β€” median wage
$47,450
Arvada MSA β€” median wage
$58,490
Moreno Valley MSA β€” employment
1,661,860
Arvada MSA β€” employment
1,590,330

Top occupations in Arvada MSA

OccupationEmploymentMedian 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

California income tax
13.3% top marginal
Colorado income tax
4.4% top marginal

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 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

  • Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
  • I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter 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 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
  • 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.
  • You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (13.0Β°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

When is the best time to move from Moreno Valley 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 991 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β€” see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.

How does the job market in Arvada compare to Moreno Valley?

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Arvada MSA vs $47,450 in the Moreno Valley MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 1,661,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.

How much do homes cost in Arvada compared to Moreno Valley?

Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $616,566 in Arvada vs $551,284 in Moreno Valley β€” a 11.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.

How does household income compare in Moreno Valley vs Arvada?

Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $113,396 in Arvada vs $87,477 in Moreno Valley β€” a 29.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.

Is Arvada more expensive than Moreno Valley?

Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Arvada is 0.6% lower than Moreno Valley (105.782 vs 106.442, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.

How far is Arvada, CO from Moreno Valley, CA?

The driving distance is 991 mi and the route typically takes 17h 22m 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 Moreno Valley.

City profiles: Moreno Valley, CA Β· Arvada, CO.

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