Moving from Kansas City, KS to Arvada, CO
A move from Kansas City, KS to Arvada, CO covers 604 mi and around 10h 22m of driving through 2 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
604 mi · 10h 22m by car · KS → CO
Distance & route
| Route through | KS → CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, US 40, US 24 |
| Major cities en route | Kansas City, Overland Park, Independence, Lee S Summit, Olathe |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Kansas City | Arvada | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.543 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.034 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.12 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.642 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Arvada is 14.3% higher than Kansas City, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Arvada is 14.3% above Kansas City — $198,195 vs $616,566 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Kansas City +1.0%, Arvada -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Kansas City | Arvada |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 57°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 22°F | 17°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 88°F |
| Annual snowfall | 11.0" | 75.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.1" | 17.1" |
Arvada is 6.6°F cooler on the annual average (56.9°F vs 50.3°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
Arvada averages 75.5 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: KANSAS CITY DOWNTOWN AP, MO US, WHEAT RIDGE 2, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Kansas City | Arvada |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,776 | 122,835 |
| Median household income | $59,183 | $113,396 |
| Median age | 34 | 40.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.6% | 31.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.47 |
Median household income in Arvada is 14.3% above Kansas City ($59,183 vs $113,396, ACS 5-year 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 Kansas 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 11.0 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 does the job market in Arvada compare to Kansas City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Arvada MSA vs $48,040 in the Kansas City MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 1,078,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Arvada more expensive than Kansas City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Arvada is 14.3% higher than Kansas City (105.782 vs 92.543, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Kansas City and Arvada?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.3°F in Arvada vs 56.9°F in Kansas City (6.6°F colder). Annual snowfall: 75.5 in vs 11.0 in. Annual precipitation: 17.1 in vs 38.1 in.
How does household income compare in Kansas City vs Arvada?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $113,396 in Arvada vs $59,183 in Kansas City — a 91.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Kansas 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 604 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 Kansas City?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $616,566 in Arvada vs $198,195 in Kansas City — a 211.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Arvada, CO from Kansas City, KS?
The driving distance is 604 mi and the route typically takes 10h 22m via I 70 and US 40. The trip crosses 2 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 Kansas City.
City profiles: Kansas City, KS · Arvada, CO.