Moving from Jersey City, NJ to Arvada, CO
It is 1779 mi and 32h 8m from Jersey City to Arvada — a cross-country move across 8 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1779 mi · 32h 8m by car · NJ → PA → OH → IN → IL → IA → NE → CO
Distance & route
| Route through | NJ → PA → OH → IN → IL → IA → NE → CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 80 EXPRESS, I 76 |
| Major cities en route | New York, Yonkers, Newark, Elizabeth, Paterson |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Jersey City | Arvada | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 112.563 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 127.018 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 110.261 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.616 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 6.0% cheaper overall in Arvada than Jersey City on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 6.0% under Jersey City — $658,269 → $616,566 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Jersey City -0.7%, Arvada -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Jersey City | Arvada |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 25°F | 17°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 88°F |
| Annual snowfall | 28.2" | 75.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 50.4" | 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: HARRISON, NJ US, WHEAT RIDGE 2, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Jersey City | Arvada |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,691 | 122,835 |
| Median household income | $94,813 | $113,396 |
| Median age | 34.7 | 40.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.4% | 31.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.35 | 2.47 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 6.0% higher in Arvada than Jersey City.
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 New Jersey 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
- 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 28.2 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
How far is Arvada, CO from Jersey City, NJ?
The driving distance is 1779 mi and the route typically takes 32h 8m via I 80 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Jersey City 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 1779 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Arvada compared to Jersey City?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $616,566 in Arvada vs $658,269 in Jersey City — a 6.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Jersey City vs Arvada?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $113,396 in Arvada vs $94,813 in Jersey City — a 19.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Arvada compare to Jersey City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Arvada MSA vs $59,390 in the Jersey City MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 9,495,240 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Jersey City and Arvada?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.3°F in Arvada vs 54.8°F in Jersey City (4.5°F colder). Annual snowfall: 75.5 in vs 28.2 in. Annual precipitation: 17.1 in vs 50.4 in.
Is Arvada more expensive than Jersey City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Arvada is 6.0% lower than Jersey City (105.782 vs 112.563, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Jersey City.
City profiles: Jersey City, NJ · Arvada, CO.