Moving from Westminster, CO to Glendale, AZ
The drive from Westminster, CO to Glendale, AZ runs 822 mi — about 15h 40m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
822 mi · 15h 40m by car · AZ → UT → CO
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ → UT → CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, US 50, US 191 |
| Major cities en route | Surprise, Goodyear, Phoenix, Mesa, Chandler |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Westminster | Glendale | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Westminster (105.782) and Glendale (103.316) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Glendale: 2.3% below Westminster on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Westminster -3.3%, Glendale -2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Westminster | Glendale |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52°F | 72°F |
| January avg low | 19°F | 41°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 105°F |
| Annual snowfall | 44.8" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 14.5" | 8.3" |
Major climate step-up: 19.5°F warmer annual average in Glendale vs Westminster.
Effectively snow-free year in Glendale — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: NORTHGLENN, CO US, YOUNGTOWN, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Westminster | Glendale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,546 | 250,193 |
| Median household income | $96,145 | $70,139 |
| Median age | 37.5 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.8% | 15.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.41 | 2.88 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 2.3% between Westminster and Glendale (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Glendale MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 314,170 | $45,080 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 205,010 | $34,400 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 204,700 | $37,700 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 199,140 | $40,870 |
| Management Occupations | 170,690 | $105,420 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and Arizona
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Arizona'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
- 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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Glendale average 105°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Glendale sees only 8.3 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 warmer climate (19.5°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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 Arizona after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Glendale compare to Westminster?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Glendale MSA vs $58,490 in the Westminster MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Glendale more expensive than Westminster?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Glendale is 2.3% lower than Westminster (103.316 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Westminster and Glendale?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 71.9°F in Glendale vs 52.4°F in Westminster (19.5°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 44.8 in. Annual precipitation: 8.3 in vs 14.5 in.
How much do homes cost in Glendale compared to Westminster?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $407,332 in Glendale vs $527,654 in Westminster — a 22.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Westminster vs Glendale?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $70,139 in Glendale vs $96,145 in Westminster — a 27.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Westminster to Glendale?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 822 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Glendale, AZ from Westminster, CO?
The driving distance is 822 mi and the route typically takes 15h 40m via I 70 and US 50. The trip crosses 3 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 Westminster.
City profiles: Westminster, CO · Glendale, AZ.