Moving from Provo, UT to Arvada, CO
Moving from Provo, UT to Arvada, CO covers 479 mi and about 9h 1m by car through 2 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
479 mi · 9h 1m by car · CO → UT
Distance & route
| Route through | CO → UT |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, US 6, US 191 |
| Major cities en route | Thornton, Westminster, Boulder, Denver, Aurora |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Provo | Arvada | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.232 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 78.63 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.446 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 104.081 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 7.7% pricier overall in Arvada than Provo on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Arvada typical home at $616,566 is 7.7% above Provo at $484,203 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Provo +2.3%, Arvada -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Provo | Arvada |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 24°F | 17°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 88°F |
| Annual snowfall | 44.9" | 75.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 17.2" | 17.1" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 54.6°F vs 50.3°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
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: PROVO BYU, UT US, WHEAT RIDGE 2, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Provo | Arvada |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,303 | 122,835 |
| Median household income | $62,800 | $113,396 |
| Median age | 23.7 | 40.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.1% | 31.7% |
| Avg household size | 3.35 | 2.47 |
Median household income in Arvada is 7.7% above Provo ($62,800 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 Utah 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.
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 44.9 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
When is the best time to move from Provo 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 479 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Arvada compare to Provo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Arvada MSA vs $45,700 in the Provo MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 293,170 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Arvada more expensive than Provo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Arvada is 7.7% higher than Provo (105.782 vs 98.232, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Provo vs Arvada?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $113,396 in Arvada vs $62,800 in Provo — a 80.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Provo and Arvada?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.3°F in Arvada vs 54.6°F in Provo (4.3°F colder). Annual snowfall: 75.5 in vs 44.9 in. Annual precipitation: 17.1 in vs 17.2 in.
How far is Arvada, CO from Provo, UT?
The driving distance is 479 mi and the route typically takes 9h 1m via I 70 and US 6. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Arvada compared to Provo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $616,566 in Arvada vs $484,203 in Provo — a 27.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Provo.
City profiles: Provo, UT · Arvada, CO.