Moving from Aurora, CO to Columbus, OH
Relocating 1246 mi from Aurora to Columbus is a 22h 22m 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.
1246 mi Β· 22h 22m by car Β· OH β IN β IL β MO β KS β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | OH β IN β IL β MO β KS β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, US 40, US 24 |
| Major cities en route | Dayton, St Louis, Columbia, Independence, Lee S Summit |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Aurora | Columbus | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 95.469 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 95.523 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 93.628 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 87.945 | 100.0 |
Expect about 9.7% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Columbus at 95.469 vs Aurora at 105.782.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 9.7% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $463,081 to $245,979 moving to Columbus.
YoY change: Aurora -4.3%, Columbus -0.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Aurora | Columbus |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 17Β°F | 21Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 85Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | β | 44.7" |
Annual average temperatures in Aurora (50.8Β°F) and Columbus (52.8Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CHERRY CREEK DAM, CO US, COLUMBUS WCMH, OH US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Aurora | Columbus |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 390,201 | 906,480 |
| Median household income | $84,320 | $65,327 |
| Median age | 35.1 | 33 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.4% | 24.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.73 | 2.34 |
Expect median household income to fall 9.7% β $84,320 β $65,327 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Columbus MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 132,160 | $44,440 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 121,490 | $40,860 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 92,300 | $29,470 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 83,070 | $35,930 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 78,820 | $77,760 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and Ohio
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Ohio'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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
How far is Columbus, OH from Aurora, CO?
The driving distance is 1246 mi and the route typically takes 22h 22m via I 70 and US 40. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Columbus compared to Aurora?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $245,979 in Columbus vs $463,081 in Aurora β a 46.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Aurora vs Columbus?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,327 in Columbus vs $84,320 in Aurora β a 22.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Aurora to Columbus?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1246 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Columbus compare to Aurora?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,970 in the Columbus MSA vs $58,490 in the Aurora MSA, on total employment of 1,067,190 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Columbus more expensive than Aurora?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Columbus is 9.7% lower than Aurora (95.469 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 Aurora.
City profiles: Aurora, CO Β· Columbus, OH.