Moving from Westminster, CO to Pomona, CA
It is 993 mi between Westminster and Pomona — roughly 17h 24m 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.
993 mi · 17h 24m by car · CA → NV → AZ → UT → CO
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → NV → AZ → UT → CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 15, US 66 HIST |
| Major cities en route | Anaheim, Santa Ana, Irvine, Huntington Beach, Glendale |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Westminster | Pomona | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 7.4% higher cost of living — rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 7.4% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $527,654 to $690,986 moving to Pomona.
YoY change: Westminster -3.3%, Pomona -0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Westminster | Pomona |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52°F | 65°F |
| January avg low | 19°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 90°F |
| Annual snowfall | 44.8" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 14.5" | 14.5" |
Annual temperature rises 12.7°F moving to Pomona per NOAA normals.
Pomona gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: NORTHGLENN, CO US, POMONA/FAIRPLEX, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Westminster | Pomona |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,546 | 148,391 |
| Median household income | $96,145 | $78,869 |
| Median age | 37.5 | 35.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.8% | 13.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.41 | 3.55 |
Households in Pomona earn about 7.4% less at the median — ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Pomona MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
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 — 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 — check CDOT alerts before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Pomona average 90°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Pomona 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 warmer climate (12.7°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 — 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
How far is Pomona, CA from Westminster, CO?
The driving distance is 993 mi and the route typically takes 17h 24m via I 70 and I 15. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Westminster and Pomona?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 65.1°F in Pomona vs 52.4°F in Westminster (12.7°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 44.8 in. Annual precipitation: 14.5 in vs 14.5 in.
How does the job market in Pomona compare to Westminster?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Pomona MSA vs $58,490 in the Westminster MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Westminster vs Pomona?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $78,869 in Pomona vs $96,145 in Westminster — a 18.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Pomona more expensive than Westminster?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Pomona is 7.4% higher than Westminster (113.566 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Pomona compared to Westminster?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $690,986 in Pomona vs $527,654 in Westminster — a 31.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Westminster to Pomona?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 993 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 Westminster.
City profiles: Westminster, CO · Pomona, CA.