Moving from Westminster, CO to Murrieta, CA
A move from Westminster, CO to Murrieta, CA covers 1019 mi and around 17h 52m of driving through 5 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
1019 mi Β· 17h 52m by car Β· CO β UT β AZ β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CO β UT β AZ β NV β 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
| Westminster | Murrieta | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
Murrieta and Westminster are close on the overall BEA RPP (105.782 vs 106.442); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Murrieta typical home at $688,358 is 0.6% above Westminster at $527,654 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Westminster -3.3%, Murrieta -1.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Westminster | Murrieta |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 44.8" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 14.5" | 15.3" |
Murrieta runs 12.7Β°F warmer on the annual average (52.4Β°F vs 65.1Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: NORTHGLENN, CO US, FALLBROOK 5 NE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Westminster | Murrieta |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,546 | 111,621 |
| Median household income | $96,145 | $109,780 |
| Median age | 37.5 | 36 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.8% | 20.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.41 | 3.15 |
Median household income in Murrieta is 0.6% above Westminster ($96,145 β $109,780, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Murrieta MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 267,890 | $47,210 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 177,100 | $47,040 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 167,590 | $34,570 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 136,950 | $36,420 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 115,940 | $32,240 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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 20β30% 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 β 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 noticeably warmer climate (12.7Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Westminster to Murrieta?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1019 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Murrieta more expensive than Westminster?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Murrieta is 0.6% higher than Westminster (106.442 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Murrieta compare to Westminster?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Murrieta MSA vs $58,490 in the Westminster MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Murrieta, CA from Westminster, CO?
The driving distance is 1019 mi and the route typically takes 17h 52m 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 Westminster vs Murrieta?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $109,780 in Murrieta vs $96,145 in Westminster β a 14.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Murrieta compared to Westminster?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $688,358 in Murrieta vs $527,654 in Westminster β a 30.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Westminster.
City profiles: Westminster, CO Β· Murrieta, CA.