Moving from Boston, MA to Arvada, CO
Cross-country relocations like Boston, MA → Arvada, CO cover 1986 mi and about 36h 12m of driving through 11 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1986 mi · 36h 12m by car · MA → CT → NY → NJ → PA → OH → IN → IL → IA → NE → CO
Distance & route
| Route through | MA → CT → NY → NJ → PA → OH → IN → IL → IA → NE → CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 80 EXPRESS, I 84 |
| Major cities en route | Brockton, Cambridge, Lowell, Providence, Worcester |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Boston | Arvada | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.266 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.768 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 99.651 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.424 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Arvada and Boston are close on the overall BEA RPP (108.266 vs 105.782); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Arvada typical home at $616,566 is 2.3% under Boston at $798,217 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Boston -0.4%, Arvada -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Boston | Arvada |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 23°F | 17°F |
| July avg high | 82°F | 88°F |
| Annual snowfall | 49.2" | 75.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 43.6" | 17.1" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 51.9°F vs 50.3°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Arvada sees 75.5 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: BOSTON LOGAN INTL AP, MA US, WHEAT RIDGE 2, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Boston | Arvada |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 663,972 | 122,835 |
| Median household income | $94,755 | $113,396 |
| Median age | 33.2 | 40.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.5% | 31.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.38 | 2.47 |
Income steps up 2.3%: $94,755 in Boston vs $113,396 in Arvada.
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 Massachusetts 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
- Lake-effect off Lake Ontario can shut down I-81 and I-90 for hours in winter — check 511NY.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter 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
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Arvada averages 75.5 in annually vs 49.2 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
Is Arvada more expensive than Boston?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Arvada is 2.3% lower than Boston (105.782 vs 108.266, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Arvada compared to Boston?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $616,566 in Arvada vs $798,217 in Boston — a 22.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Boston and Arvada?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.3°F in Arvada vs 51.9°F in Boston (1.6°F colder). Annual snowfall: 75.5 in vs 49.2 in. Annual precipitation: 17.1 in vs 43.6 in.
How far is Arvada, CO from Boston, MA?
The driving distance is 1986 mi and the route typically takes 36h 12m via I 80 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 11 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Boston vs Arvada?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $113,396 in Arvada vs $94,755 in Boston — a 19.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Boston 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 1986 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 Boston.
City profiles: Boston, MA · Arvada, CO.