Moving from Denver, CO to Provo, UT
It is a 490 mi drive, roughly 9h 13m, between Denver, CO and Provo, UT. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
490 mi · 9h 13m by car · CO → UT
Distance & route
| Route through | CO → UT |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, US 6, US 191 |
| Major cities en route | Aurora, Centennial, Thornton, Westminster, Arvada |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Denver | Provo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 98.232 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 78.63 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 96.446 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 104.081 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 7.1% moving from Denver to Provo — meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in Provo run about 7.1% cheaper — ZHVI $539,666 → $484,203 (2026-03).
YoY change: Denver -4.3%, Provo +2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Denver | Provo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51°F | 55°F |
| January avg low | 18°F | 24°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 95°F |
| Annual snowfall | 49.0" | 44.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 15.4" | 17.2" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 51.4°F vs 54.6°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Provo sees 44.9 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: DENVER-STAPLETON, CO US, PROVO BYU, UT US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Denver | Provo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 713,734 | 114,303 |
| Median household income | $91,681 | $62,800 |
| Median age | 35.2 | 23.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.8% | 31.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.17 | 3.35 |
Provo households earn about 7.1% less than Denver at the median — $91,681 → $62,800 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Provo MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 40,750 | $38,840 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 24,860 | $36,930 |
| Management Occupations | 24,030 | $105,290 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 23,860 | $29,550 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 19,880 | $63,540 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and Utah
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Utah'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.
- 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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Provo averages 44.9 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Provo average 95°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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 Utah after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Provo, UT from Denver, CO?
The driving distance is 490 mi and the route typically takes 9h 13m via I 70 and US 6. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Provo compare to Denver?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,700 in the Provo MSA vs $58,490 in the Denver MSA, on total employment of 293,170 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Denver vs Provo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,800 in Provo vs $91,681 in Denver — a 31.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Denver to Provo?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 490 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Denver and Provo?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 54.6°F in Provo vs 51.4°F in Denver (3.2°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 44.9 in vs 49.0 in. Annual precipitation: 17.2 in vs 15.4 in.
Is Provo more expensive than Denver?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Provo is 7.1% lower than Denver (98.232 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Provo compared to Denver?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $484,203 in Provo vs $539,666 in Denver — a 10.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Denver.
City profiles: Denver, CO · Provo, UT.