Moving from Aurora, CO to Philadelphia, PA
Moving from Aurora, CO to Philadelphia, PA is a 1711 mi cross-country relocation β about 31h 14m of driving through 8 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
1711 mi Β· 31h 14m by car Β· PA β WV β OH β IN β IL β MO β KS β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | PA β WV β OH β IN β IL β MO β KS β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, US 40, I 76 |
| Major cities en route | Pittsburgh, Columbus, Dayton, St Louis, Columbia |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Aurora | Philadelphia | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 102.554 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 114.389 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 96.833 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 113.141 | 100.0 |
Philadelphia and Aurora are close on the overall BEA RPP (105.782 vs 102.554); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Philadelphia typical home at $231,815 is 3.1% under Aurora at $463,081 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Aurora -4.3%, Philadelphia +2.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Aurora | Philadelphia |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 58Β°F |
| January avg low | 17Β°F | 28Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 89Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 16.1" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 50.7" |
Philadelphia runs 6.9Β°F warmer on the annual average (50.8Β°F vs 57.7Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Significant snow at the destination: Philadelphia sees 16.1 in a year on NOAA normals β budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CHERRY CREEK DAM, CO US, PHILA FRANKLIN INST, PA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Aurora | Philadelphia |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 390,201 | 1,582,432 |
| Median household income | $84,320 | $60,698 |
| Median age | 35.1 | 35.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.4% | 19.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.73 | 2.36 |
Median household income in Philadelphia is 3.1% below Aurora ($84,320 vs $60,698, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Philadelphia MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 352,560 | $46,660 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 252,940 | $41,710 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 228,980 | $36,650 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 223,850 | $31,100 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 200,320 | $86,620 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and Pennsylvania
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Pennsylvania'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
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- I-77 at Flat Top Mountain and I-64 through the Greenbrier Valley see chain requirements in winter storms.
- 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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Philadelphia averages 16.1 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Pack rain gear on top: Philadelphia averages 50.7 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- 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 Pennsylvania after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Philadelphia, PA from Aurora, CO?
The driving distance is 1711 mi and the route typically takes 31h 14m via I 70 and US 40. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Philadelphia compared to Aurora?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $231,815 in Philadelphia vs $463,081 in Aurora β a 49.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Philadelphia compare to Aurora?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,160 in the Philadelphia MSA vs $58,490 in the Aurora MSA, on total employment of 2,829,560 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Aurora vs Philadelphia?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,698 in Philadelphia vs $84,320 in Aurora β a 28.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Philadelphia more expensive than Aurora?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Philadelphia is 3.1% lower than Aurora (102.554 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Aurora to Philadelphia?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1711 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 Aurora.
City profiles: Aurora, CO Β· Philadelphia, PA.