Moving from Arvada, CO to Aurora, IL
The drive from Arvada, CO to Aurora, IL runs 973 mi — about 17h 12m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
973 mi · 17h 12m by car · IL → IA → NE → CO
Distance & route
| Route through | IL → IA → NE → CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80 EXPRESS, I 80, I 76 |
| Major cities en route | Joliet, Naperville, Elgin, Rockford, Cedar Rapids |
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 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
Aurora and Arvada are close on the overall BEA RPP (105.782 vs 103.595); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Aurora typical home at $316,958 is 2.1% under Arvada at $616,566 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Arvada -2.5%, Aurora +2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Arvada | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 17°F | 16°F |
| July avg high | 88°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 75.5" | 27.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 17.1" | 39.5" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 50.3°F vs 50.2°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Aurora sees 27.9 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WHEAT RIDGE 2, CO US, AURORA, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Arvada | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,835 | 179,867 |
| Median household income | $113,396 | $90,109 |
| Median age | 40.2 | 35.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.7% | 22.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.47 | 2.98 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 2.1% between Arvada and Aurora (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 | 519,810 | $46,540 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 497,550 | $41,020 |
| Management Occupations | 405,130 | $125,280 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 386,070 | $38,490 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 368,000 | $33,540 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and Illinois
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Illinois'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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Aurora averages 27.9 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- 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 Illinois after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Aurora compare to Arvada?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Aurora MSA vs $58,490 in the Arvada MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Aurora more expensive than Arvada?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Aurora is 2.1% lower than Arvada (103.595 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Aurora compared to Arvada?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $316,958 in Aurora vs $616,566 in Arvada — a 48.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Arvada to Aurora?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 973 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Arvada vs Aurora?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,109 in Aurora vs $113,396 in Arvada — a 20.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Aurora, IL from Arvada, CO?
The driving distance is 973 mi and the route typically takes 17h 12m via I 80 EXPRESS and I 80. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Arvada and Aurora?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.2°F in Aurora vs 50.3°F in Arvada (0.1°F colder). Annual snowfall: 27.9 in vs 75.5 in. Annual precipitation: 39.5 in vs 17.1 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Arvada.
City profiles: Arvada, CO · Aurora, IL.