Moving from Arvada, CO to Spokane, WA
A move from Arvada, CO to Spokane, WA covers 1095 mi and around 18h 20m 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.
1095 mi Β· 18h 20m by car Β· WA β ID β MT β WY β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | WA β ID β MT β WY β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, US 87, US 2 |
| Major cities en route | Spokane Valley, Billings, Fort Collins, Greeley, Thornton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Arvada | Spokane | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 100.346 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 91.196 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 105.028 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 97.059 | 100.0 |
Spokane is 5.1% cheaper than Arvada overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Spokane is 5.1% below Arvada β $616,566 vs $395,325 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Arvada -2.5%, Spokane 0.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Arvada | Spokane |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 17Β°F | 26Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 75.5" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 17.1" | 17.4" |
Annual average temperatures in Arvada (50.3Β°F) and Spokane (49.8Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WHEAT RIDGE 2, CO US, SPOKANE FELTS FLD, WA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Arvada | Spokane |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,835 | 229,228 |
| Median household income | $113,396 | $65,745 |
| Median age | 40.2 | 37.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.7% | 20.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.47 | 2.37 |
Median household income in Spokane is 5.1% below Arvada ($113,396 vs $65,745, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Spokane MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 31,380 | $46,000 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 23,780 | $38,530 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 22,620 | $44,880 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 22,480 | $35,500 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 17,820 | $95,340 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and Washington
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Washington'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
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Montana interstates can close without notice in winter storms β check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- 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
- Wildfire season east of the Cascades peaks July through September; earthquake preparedness is standard west of the mountains.
- 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 Washington after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Spokane, WA from Arvada, CO?
The driving distance is 1095 mi and the route typically takes 18h 20m via I 90 and US 87. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Spokane compared to Arvada?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $395,325 in Spokane vs $616,566 in Arvada β a 35.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Arvada to Spokane?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1095 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Spokane compare to Arvada?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,920 in the Spokane MSA vs $58,490 in the Arvada MSA, on total employment of 255,160 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Arvada vs Spokane?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,745 in Spokane vs $113,396 in Arvada β a 42.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Spokane more expensive than Arvada?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Spokane is 5.1% lower than Arvada (100.346 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Arvada.
City profiles: Arvada, CO Β· Spokane, WA.