Moving from Pasadena, CA to Arvada, CO
A move from Pasadena, CA to Arvada, CO covers 1006 mi and around 17h 40m of driving through 5 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.
1006 mi · 17h 40m by car · CA → NV → AZ → UT → CO
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → NV → AZ → UT → CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 15, US 66 HIST |
| Major cities en route | Los Angeles, Long Beach, Santa Clarita, Glendale, Palmdale |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Pasadena | Arvada | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Arvada is 6.9% cheaper than Pasadena overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Arvada is 6.9% below Pasadena — $1,209,228 vs $616,566 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Pasadena -1.0%, Arvada -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Pasadena | Arvada |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 46°F | 17°F |
| July avg high | 89°F | 88°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 75.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 20.1" | 17.1" |
Arvada runs 15.7°F colder on the annual average (66.0°F vs 50.3°F) — expect a noticeably different year.
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: PASADENA, CA US, WHEAT RIDGE 2, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Pasadena | Arvada |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,462 | 122,835 |
| Median household income | $103,778 | $113,396 |
| Median age | 40.1 | 40.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30% | 31.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.39 | 2.47 |
Median household income in Arvada is 6.9% above Pasadena ($103,778 → $113,396, ACS 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 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 — Arvada averages 75.5 in annually vs 0.0 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (15.7°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
How far is Arvada, CO from Pasadena, CA?
The driving distance is 1006 mi and the route typically takes 17h 40m via I 70 and I 15. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Pasadena and Arvada?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.3°F in Arvada vs 66.0°F in Pasadena (15.7°F colder). Annual snowfall: 75.5 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 17.1 in vs 20.1 in.
Is Arvada more expensive than Pasadena?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Arvada is 6.9% lower than Pasadena (105.782 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Arvada compared to Pasadena?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $616,566 in Arvada vs $1,209,228 in Pasadena — a 49.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Pasadena vs Arvada?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $113,396 in Arvada vs $103,778 in Pasadena — a 9.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Arvada compare to Pasadena?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Arvada MSA vs $50,490 in the Pasadena MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Pasadena 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 1006 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 Pasadena.
City profiles: Pasadena, CA · Arvada, CO.