Moving from Westminster, CO to San Bernardino, CA
A move from Westminster, CO to San Bernardino, CA covers 974 mi and around 17h 2m 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.
974 mi · 17h 2m 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 | Riverside, Moreno Valley, Corona, Jurupa Valley, Rialto |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Westminster | San Bernardino | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Westminster (105.782) and San Bernardino (106.442) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Moderate housing drop: San Bernardino ZHVI at $487,988 is 0.6% below Westminster at $527,654.
YoY change: Westminster -3.3%, San Bernardino -0.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Westminster | San Bernardino |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52°F | 65°F |
| January avg low | 19°F | 41°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 95°F |
| Annual snowfall | 44.8" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 14.5" | 12.9" |
San Bernardino runs 12.8°F warmer on the annual average (52.4°F vs 65.2°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
Effectively snow-free year in San Bernardino — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: NORTHGLENN, CO US, REDLANDS, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Westminster | San Bernardino |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,546 | 221,774 |
| Median household income | $96,145 | $63,988 |
| Median age | 37.5 | 31.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.8% | 9% |
| Avg household size | 2.41 | 3.51 |
Median household income in San Bernardino is 0.6% below Westminster ($96,145 vs $63,988, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in San Bernardino MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 267,890 | $47,210 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 177,100 | $47,040 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 167,590 | $34,570 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 136,950 | $36,420 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 115,940 | $32,240 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in San Bernardino average 95°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: San Bernardino sees only 12.9 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 (12.8°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October — register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in San Bernardino compared to Westminster?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $487,988 in San Bernardino vs $527,654 in Westminster — a 7.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is San Bernardino, CA from Westminster, CO?
The driving distance is 974 mi and the route typically takes 17h 2m via I 70 and I 15. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in San Bernardino compare to Westminster?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the San Bernardino MSA vs $58,490 in the Westminster MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Westminster to San Bernardino?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 974 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Westminster and San Bernardino?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 65.2°F in San Bernardino vs 52.4°F in Westminster (12.8°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 44.8 in. Annual precipitation: 12.9 in vs 14.5 in.
How does household income compare in Westminster vs San Bernardino?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,988 in San Bernardino vs $96,145 in Westminster — a 33.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is San Bernardino more expensive than Westminster?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in San Bernardino is 0.6% higher than Westminster (106.442 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Westminster.
City profiles: Westminster, CO · San Bernardino, CA.