Moving from Arvada, CO to Aurora, CO
It is a short 30 mi hop from Arvada, CO to Aurora, CO β roughly 43 min behind the wheel. Even at local distance, household costs and housing values can diverge more than the mileage suggests. Below you will find a direct comparison on BEA cost-of-living, Zillow home values, Census demographics, BLS wages, and NOAA climate.
30 mi Β· 43 min by car Β· CO
Distance & route
| Route through | CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, CO 72, CR 73 |
| Major cities en route | Centennial, Denver, Thornton, Lakewood, Westminster |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Arvada | Aurora | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Arvada and Aurora sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $616,566 in Arvada to $463,081 in Aurora, a 0.0% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Arvada -2.5%, Aurora -4.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Arvada | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 17Β°F | 17Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 75.5" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 17.1" | β |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 50.3Β°F vs 50.8Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WHEAT RIDGE 2, CO US, CHERRY CREEK DAM, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Arvada | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,835 | 390,201 |
| Median household income | $113,396 | $84,320 |
| Median age | 40.2 | 35.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.7% | 21.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.47 | 2.73 |
Aurora households earn about 0.0% less than Arvada at the median β $113,396 β $84,320 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Aurora 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.
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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Aurora average 90Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Aurora compared to Arvada?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $463,081 in Aurora vs $616,566 in Arvada β a 24.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Arvada vs Aurora?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $84,320 in Aurora vs $113,396 in Arvada β a 25.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Aurora compare to Arvada?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Aurora MSA vs $58,490 in the Arvada MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Aurora, CO from Arvada, CO?
The driving distance is 30 mi and the route typically takes 43 min via I 70 and CO 72. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Arvada to Aurora?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 30 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β 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 Arvada.
City profiles: Arvada, CO Β· Aurora, CO.