Moving from West Covina, CA to Westminster, CO
It is 1003 mi between West Covina and Westminster — roughly 17h 32m 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.
1003 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, Boulder, Arvada, Denver, Aurora |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| West Covina | Westminster | 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 |
Expect about 6.9% lower overall cost of living — BEA RPP 2024 has Westminster at 105.782 vs West Covina at 113.566.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 6.9% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $852,373 to $527,654 moving to Westminster.
YoY change: West Covina +0.7%, Westminster -3.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | West Covina | Westminster |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65°F | 52°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 19°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 44.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 14.5" | 14.5" |
Annual temperature drops 12.7°F moving to Westminster per NOAA normals.
Westminster averages 44.8 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: POMONA/FAIRPLEX, CA US, NORTHGLENN, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | West Covina | Westminster |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,436 | 115,546 |
| Median household income | $98,570 | $96,145 |
| Median age | 40.1 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.4% | 29.8% |
| Avg household size | 3.3 | 2.41 |
Median household incomes in West Covina ($98,570) and Westminster ($96,145) are within a few percent (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Westminster 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 — Westminster averages 44.8 in annually vs 0.0 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Westminster average 91°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Westminster sees only 14.5 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (12.7°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 Westminster more expensive than West Covina?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Westminster is 6.9% lower than West Covina (105.782 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Westminster compare to West Covina?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Westminster MSA vs $50,490 in the West Covina 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.
What is the climate difference between West Covina and Westminster?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 52.4°F in Westminster vs 65.1°F in West Covina (12.7°F colder). Annual snowfall: 44.8 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 14.5 in vs 14.5 in.
How much do homes cost in Westminster compared to West Covina?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $527,654 in Westminster vs $852,373 in West Covina — a 38.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Westminster, CO from West Covina, CA?
The driving distance is 1003 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.
How does household income compare in West Covina vs Westminster?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $96,145 in Westminster vs $98,570 in West Covina — a 2.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from West Covina to Westminster?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1003 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — 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 West Covina.
City profiles: West Covina, CA · Westminster, CO.