Moving from Arvada, CO to Riverside, CA
A move from Arvada, CO to Riverside, CA covers 984 mi and around 17h 12m of driving through 5 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.
984 mi · 17h 12m 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, Irvine, Ontario, Corona, Pomona |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Arvada | Riverside | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Riverside and Arvada is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home values in Arvada and Riverside are within 5% of each other ($616,566 vs $646,784 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Arvada -2.5%, Riverside -1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Arvada | Riverside |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 17°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 88°F | 95°F |
| Annual snowfall | 75.5" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 17.1" | 10.0" |
Riverside runs 16.6°F warmer on the annual average (50.3°F vs 66.9°F) — a climate shift you will feel in cooling bills and wardrobe alike.
Riverside 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: WHEAT RIDGE 2, CO US, RIVERSIDE FIRE STN 3, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Arvada | Riverside |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,835 | 316,241 |
| Median household income | $113,396 | $88,575 |
| Median age | 40.2 | 33.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.7% | 15.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.47 | 3.42 |
Median household income in Riverside is 0.6% below Arvada ($113,396 vs $88,575, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Riverside MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 267,890 | $47,210 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 177,100 | $47,040 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 167,590 | $34,570 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 136,950 | $36,420 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 115,940 | $32,240 |
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 Riverside average 95°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Riverside sees only 10.0 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 (16.6°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
Is Riverside more expensive than Arvada?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Riverside is 0.6% higher than Arvada (106.442 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Arvada to Riverside?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 984 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Riverside compared to Arvada?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $646,784 in Riverside vs $616,566 in Arvada — a 4.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Riverside compare to Arvada?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Riverside MSA vs $58,490 in the Arvada MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 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 Riverside?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.9°F in Riverside vs 50.3°F in Arvada (16.6°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 75.5 in. Annual precipitation: 10.0 in vs 17.1 in.
How does household income compare in Arvada vs Riverside?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,575 in Riverside vs $113,396 in Arvada — a 21.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Riverside, CA from Arvada, CO?
The driving distance is 984 mi and the route typically takes 17h 12m via I 70 and I 15. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Arvada.
City profiles: Arvada, CO · Riverside, CA.