Moving from Palmdale, CA to Greeley, CO
It is 1040 mi between Palmdale and Greeley — roughly 18h 30m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1040 mi · 18h 30m by car · CA → NV → AZ → UT → CO
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → NV → AZ → UT → CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 15, CA 18 |
| Major cities en route | Santa Clarita, Lancaster, Glendale, Pasadena, Rancho Cucamonga |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Palmdale | Greeley | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 100.176 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 81.997 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 96.052 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 112.599 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 11.8% cheaper overall in Greeley than Palmdale on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 11.8% under Palmdale — $501,257 → $420,464 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Palmdale -1.3%, Greeley -1.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Palmdale | Greeley |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 52°F |
| January avg low | 35°F | 18°F |
| July avg high | 98°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 34.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 7.3" | 14.7" |
Annual temperature drops 11.5°F moving to Greeley per NOAA normals.
Heavy-snow city: expect 34.9 in of snowfall annually at Greeley.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: PALMDALE, CA US, GREELEY UNC, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Palmdale | Greeley |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 165,487 | 109,421 |
| Median household income | $81,151 | $68,650 |
| Median age | 33.2 | 32.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 11.4% | 15.9% |
| Avg household size | 3.56 | 2.81 |
Households in Greeley earn about 11.8% less at the median — ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Greeley MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 11,370 | $46,100 |
| Construction and Extraction Occupations | 11,010 | $52,590 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 10,590 | $47,780 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 10,120 | $39,710 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 9,660 | $32,760 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California 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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- 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.
- 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 — Greeley averages 34.9 in annually vs 0.0 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Greeley average 92°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Greeley sees only 14.7 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (11.5°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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 Palmdale and Greeley?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 52.1°F in Greeley vs 63.6°F in Palmdale (11.5°F colder). Annual snowfall: 34.9 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 14.7 in vs 7.3 in.
Is Greeley more expensive than Palmdale?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Greeley is 11.8% lower than Palmdale (100.176 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Palmdale vs Greeley?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $68,650 in Greeley vs $81,151 in Palmdale — a 15.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Greeley compare to Palmdale?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,140 in the Greeley MSA vs $50,490 in the Palmdale MSA, on total employment of 111,210 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Greeley, CO from Palmdale, CA?
The driving distance is 1040 mi and the route typically takes 18h 30m via I 70 and I 15. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Greeley compared to Palmdale?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $420,464 in Greeley vs $501,257 in Palmdale — a 16.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Palmdale to Greeley?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1040 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Palmdale.
City profiles: Palmdale, CA · Greeley, CO.