Moving from Renton, WA to Arvada, CO
Relocating 1303 mi from Renton to Arvada is a 22h 41m drive through 6 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1303 mi Β· 22h 41m by car Β· CO β WY β UT β ID β OR β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | CO β WY β UT β ID β OR β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 84, I 80, US 97 |
| Major cities en route | Denver, Lakewood, Centennial, Westminster, Boulder |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Renton | Arvada | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 111.133 vs 105.782 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect around 4.8% lower home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Renton -2.1%, Arvada -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Renton | Arvada |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 17Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 75.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 34.7" | 17.1" |
Annual average temperatures in Renton (53.6Β°F) and Arvada (50.3Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Arvada averages 75.5 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RENTON MUNI AP, WA US, WHEAT RIDGE 2, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Renton | Arvada |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,279 | 122,835 |
| Median household income | $96,626 | $113,396 |
| Median age | 36.5 | 40.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.4% | 31.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.55 | 2.47 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 4.8% higher in Arvada than Renton.
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 Washington 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
- 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.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- 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.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
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 does household income compare in Renton vs Arvada?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $113,396 in Arvada vs $96,626 in Renton β a 17.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Arvada, CO from Renton, WA?
The driving distance is 1303 mi and the route typically takes 22h 41m via I 84 and I 80. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Arvada more expensive than Renton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Arvada is 4.8% lower than Renton (105.782 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Arvada compare to Renton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Arvada MSA vs $65,260 in the Renton MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Arvada compared to Renton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $616,566 in Arvada vs $764,375 in Renton β a 19.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Renton to Arvada?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1303 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β 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 Renton.
City profiles: Renton, WA Β· Arvada, CO.