Moving from Madison, WI to Arvada, CO
A move from Madison, WI to Arvada, CO covers 956 mi and around 17h 21m of driving through 4 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.
956 mi Β· 17h 21m by car Β· WI β IA β NE β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | WI β IA β NE β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80 EXPRESS, I 76, US 151 |
| Major cities en route | Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, Omaha, Lincoln, Greeley |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Madison | Arvada | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.287 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.825 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.787 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.748 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 8.7% pricier overall in Arvada than Madison on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Arvada typical home at $616,566 is 8.7% above Madison at $423,767 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Madison +2.4%, Arvada -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Madison | Arvada |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 47Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 11Β°F | 17Β°F |
| July avg high | 82Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 75.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.2" | 17.1" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 47.2Β°F vs 50.3Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Arvada sees 75.5 in a year on NOAA normals β budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: UW ARBORETUM - MADISON, WI US, WHEAT RIDGE 2, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Madison | Arvada |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 275,568 | 122,835 |
| Median household income | $76,983 | $113,396 |
| Median age | 31.8 | 40.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.5% | 31.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.19 | 2.47 |
Median household income in Arvada is 8.7% above Madison ($76,983 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 Wisconsin 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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin β check 511wi.
- 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.
- Register to vote in Colorado after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Arvada, CO from Madison, WI?
The driving distance is 956 mi and the route typically takes 17h 21m via I 80 EXPRESS and I 76. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Arvada more expensive than Madison?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Arvada is 8.7% higher than Madison (105.782 vs 97.287, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Arvada compared to Madison?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $616,566 in Arvada vs $423,767 in Madison β a 45.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Madison vs Arvada?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $113,396 in Arvada vs $76,983 in Madison β a 47.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Madison to Arvada?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 956 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Arvada compare to Madison?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Arvada MSA vs $50,910 in the Madison MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 396,960 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Madison.
City profiles: Madison, WI Β· Arvada, CO.