Moving from Centennial, CO to Arvada, CO
The drive from Centennial to Arvada covers 30 mi in about 45 min. Local moves still matter β school districts, tax jurisdictions, and housing micromarkets can all flip across short distances. This page pulls the latest federal and Zillow figures into a single side-by-side comparison to make those differences visible.
30 mi Β· 45 min by car Β· CO
Distance & route
| Route through | CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 25, I 70, CR 172 |
| Major cities en route | Boulder, Westminster, Thornton, Denver, Lakewood |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Centennial | Arvada | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Arvada and Centennial is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Arvada is 0.0% below Centennial ($616,566 vs $649,086 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Centennial -2.8%, Arvada -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Centennial | Arvada |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 17Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 75.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 15.0" | 17.1" |
Annual average temperatures in Centennial (50.2Β°F) and Arvada (50.3Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Arvada averages 75.5 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DENVER CENTENNIAL AP, CO US, WHEAT RIDGE 2, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Centennial | Arvada |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,386 | 122,835 |
| Median household income | $128,167 | $113,396 |
| Median age | 41.8 | 40.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37% | 31.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.59 | 2.47 |
Income steps down 0.0%: $128,167 in Centennial 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.
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
- 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
- Winter gear first: Arvada averages 75.5 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- 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.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Arvada compared to Centennial?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $616,566 in Arvada vs $649,086 in Centennial β a 5.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Centennial vs Arvada?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $113,396 in Arvada vs $128,167 in Centennial β a 11.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Arvada, CO from Centennial, CO?
The driving distance is 30 mi and the route typically takes 45 min via I 25 and I 70. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Arvada compare to Centennial?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Arvada MSA vs $58,490 in the Centennial MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 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 Centennial to Arvada?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 30 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β 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 Centennial.
City profiles: Centennial, CO Β· Arvada, CO.