Moving from Arvada, CO to Phoenix, AZ
It is 811 mi between Arvada and Phoenix β roughly 15h 24m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 3 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.
811 mi Β· 15h 24m by car Β· AZ β UT β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ β UT β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, US 50, US 191 |
| Major cities en route | Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Tempe, Glendale |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Arvada | Phoenix | 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 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
2.3% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Arvada -2.5%, Phoenix -2.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Arvada | Phoenix |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 73Β°F |
| January avg low | 17Β°F | 44Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 104Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 75.5" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 17.1" | 8.9" |
Annual average temperature gap of 22.2Β°F β a meaningful climate change across the move.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WHEAT RIDGE 2, CO US, PHOENIX DEER VALLEY MUNI AP, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Arvada | Phoenix |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,835 | 1,624,832 |
| Median household income | $113,396 | $77,041 |
| Median age | 40.2 | 34.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.7% | 19.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.47 | 2.7 |
Phoenix households earn about 2.3% less than Arvada at the median β $113,396 β $77,041 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Phoenix 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 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
- 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 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 Phoenix average 104Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Phoenix sees only 8.9 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 (22.2Β°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
Is Phoenix more expensive than Arvada?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Phoenix 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 Phoenix, AZ from Arvada, CO?
The driving distance is 811 mi and the route typically takes 15h 24m via I 70 and US 50. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Phoenix compare to Arvada?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Phoenix 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.
When is the best time to move from Arvada to Phoenix?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 811 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Phoenix compared to Arvada?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $410,169 in Phoenix vs $616,566 in Arvada β a 33.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Arvada vs Phoenix?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $77,041 in Phoenix vs $113,396 in Arvada β a 32.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Arvada.
City profiles: Arvada, CO Β· Phoenix, AZ.