Moving from West Valley City, UT to Arvada, CO
It is 526 mi between West Valley City and Arvada — roughly 9h 10m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 3 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.
526 mi · 9h 10m by car · UT → WY → CO
Distance & route
| Route through | UT → WY → CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 25, US 287 |
| Major cities en route | West Jordan, Salt Lake City, Fort Collins, Greeley, Thornton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| West Valley City | Arvada | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.868 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 79 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.446 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 123.311 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
West Valley City and Arvada sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $471,862 in West Valley City to $616,566 in Arvada, a 4.9% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: West Valley City +1.3%, Arvada -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | West Valley City | Arvada |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 24°F | 17°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 88°F |
| Annual snowfall | 51.9" | 75.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 15.5" | 17.1" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 54.7°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: SALT LAKE CITY INTL AP, UT US, WHEAT RIDGE 2, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | West Valley City | Arvada |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 137,955 | 122,835 |
| Median household income | $88,604 | $113,396 |
| Median age | 30.3 | 40.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12% | 31.7% |
| Avg household size | 3.55 | 2.47 |
Arvada households earn about 4.9% more than West Valley City at the median — $88,604 → $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 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
- 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 — 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 — check CDOT alerts before departure.
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 51.9 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 West Valley City 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 526 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in West Valley City vs Arvada?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $113,396 in Arvada vs $88,604 in West Valley City — a 28.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Arvada compare to West Valley City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Arvada MSA vs $49,440 in the West Valley City MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 803,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Arvada more expensive than West Valley City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Arvada is 4.9% higher than West Valley City (105.782 vs 100.868, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between West Valley City and Arvada?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.3°F in Arvada vs 54.7°F in West Valley City (4.4°F colder). Annual snowfall: 75.5 in vs 51.9 in. Annual precipitation: 17.1 in vs 15.5 in.
How much do homes cost in Arvada compared to West Valley City?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $616,566 in Arvada vs $471,862 in West Valley City — a 30.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Arvada, CO from West Valley City, UT?
The driving distance is 526 mi and the route typically takes 9h 10m via I 80 and I 25. The trip crosses 3 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 West Valley City.
City profiles: West Valley City, UT · Arvada, CO.