Moving from Arvada, CO to Goodyear, AZ
A move from Arvada, CO to Goodyear, AZ covers 849 mi and around 16h 23m of driving through 3 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.
849 mi · 16h 23m by car · CO → UT → AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | CO → UT → AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, US 191, US 160 |
| Major cities en route | Thornton, Westminster, Boulder, Denver, Aurora |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Arvada | Goodyear | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Arvada (105.782) and Goodyear (103.316) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Goodyear: 2.3% below Arvada on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Arvada -2.5%, Goodyear -1.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Arvada | Goodyear |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50°F | 74°F |
| January avg low | 17°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 88°F | 107°F |
| Annual snowfall | 75.5" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 17.1" | 7.4" |
Major climate step-up: 23.6°F warmer annual average in Goodyear vs Arvada.
Effectively snow-free year in Goodyear — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WHEAT RIDGE 2, CO US, LAVEEN 3 SSE, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Arvada | Goodyear |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,835 | 102,891 |
| Median household income | $113,396 | $101,814 |
| Median age | 40.2 | 40.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.7% | 22.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.47 | 2.87 |
Median household income in Goodyear is 2.3% below Arvada ($113,396 → $101,814, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Goodyear MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 314,170 | $45,080 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 205,010 | $34,400 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 204,700 | $37,700 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 199,140 | $40,870 |
| Management Occupations | 170,690 | $105,420 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and Arizona
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Arizona'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.
- 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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Goodyear average 107°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Goodyear sees only 7.4 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 (23.6°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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 Arizona after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Arvada to Goodyear?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 849 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Goodyear compare to Arvada?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Goodyear MSA vs $58,490 in the Arvada MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Arvada and Goodyear?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 73.9°F in Goodyear vs 50.3°F in Arvada (23.6°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 75.5 in. Annual precipitation: 7.4 in vs 17.1 in.
Is Goodyear more expensive than Arvada?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Goodyear is 2.3% lower than Arvada (103.316 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Goodyear, AZ from Arvada, CO?
The driving distance is 849 mi and the route typically takes 16h 23m via I 70 and US 191. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Arvada vs Goodyear?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $101,814 in Goodyear vs $113,396 in Arvada — a 10.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Goodyear compared to Arvada?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $469,424 in Goodyear vs $616,566 in Arvada — a 23.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Arvada.
City profiles: Arvada, CO · Goodyear, AZ.