Moving from Des Moines, IA to Arvada, CO
Relocating 677 mi from Des Moines to Arvada is a 11h 48m drive through 3 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
677 mi · 11h 48m by car · IA → NE → CO
Distance & route
| Route through | IA → NE → CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80 EXPRESS, I 76, I 80 |
| Major cities en route | Omaha, Lincoln, Greeley, Thornton, Aurora |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Des Moines | Arvada | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.701 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.585 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.73 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 84.741 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Arvada runs about 15.4% more expensive overall than Des Moines — RPP 91.701 → 105.782.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $208,166 in Des Moines to $616,566 in Arvada, a 15.4% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Des Moines +0.8%, Arvada -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Des Moines | Arvada |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 14°F | 17°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 88°F |
| Annual snowfall | 36.5" | 75.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 36.6" | 17.1" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 50.9°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: DES MOINES INTL AP, IA US, WHEAT RIDGE 2, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Des Moines | Arvada |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 122,835 |
| Median household income | $63,966 | $113,396 |
| Median age | 34.6 | 40.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.9% | 31.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.47 |
Expect median household income to rise 15.4% — $63,966 → $113,396 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 Iowa 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 36.5 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
What is the climate difference between Des Moines and Arvada?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.3°F in Arvada vs 50.9°F in Des Moines (0.6°F colder). Annual snowfall: 75.5 in vs 36.5 in. Annual precipitation: 17.1 in vs 36.6 in.
How does household income compare in Des Moines vs Arvada?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $113,396 in Arvada vs $63,966 in Des Moines — a 77.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Arvada compared to Des Moines?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $616,566 in Arvada vs $208,166 in Des Moines — a 196.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Arvada compare to Des Moines?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Arvada MSA vs $49,550 in the Des Moines MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 383,190 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Arvada more expensive than Des Moines?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Arvada is 15.4% higher than Des Moines (105.782 vs 91.701, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Des Moines 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 677 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Arvada, CO from Des Moines, IA?
The driving distance is 677 mi and the route typically takes 11h 48m via I 80 EXPRESS and I 76. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Des Moines.
City profiles: Des Moines, IA · Arvada, CO.