Moving from Aurora, IL to Arvada, CO
The drive from Aurora, IL to Arvada, CO 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
| Aurora | Arvada | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Aurora (103.595) and Arvada (105.782) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Arvada: 2.1% above Aurora on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Aurora +2.9%, Arvada -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Aurora | Arvada |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 16°F | 17°F |
| July avg high | 84°F | 88°F |
| Annual snowfall | 27.9" | 75.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 39.5" | 17.1" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Heavy-snow city: expect 75.5 in of snowfall annually at Arvada.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: AURORA, IL US, WHEAT RIDGE 2, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Aurora | Arvada |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 179,867 | 122,835 |
| Median household income | $90,109 | $113,396 |
| Median age | 35.2 | 40.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.5% | 31.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.98 | 2.47 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 2.1% between Aurora and Arvada (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Arvada MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 173,910 | $49,000 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 172,890 | $48,280 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 164,250 | $84,370 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 140,150 | $36,010 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 129,510 | $45,350 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Illinois and Colorado
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Colorado'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
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Arvada averages 75.5 in annually vs 27.9 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- 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 Colorado after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Aurora vs Arvada?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $113,396 in Arvada vs $90,109 in Aurora — a 25.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Aurora and Arvada?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.3°F in Arvada vs 50.2°F in Aurora (0.1°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 75.5 in vs 27.9 in. Annual precipitation: 17.1 in vs 39.5 in.
How does the job market in Arvada compare to Aurora?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Arvada MSA vs $49,790 in the Aurora MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 4,506,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Arvada compared to Aurora?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $616,566 in Arvada vs $316,958 in Aurora — a 94.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Arvada, CO from Aurora, IL?
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.
Is Arvada more expensive than Aurora?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Arvada is 2.1% higher than Aurora (105.782 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Aurora to Arvada?
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.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Aurora.
City profiles: Aurora, IL · Arvada, CO.