Moving from Aurora, CO to Thornton, CO
The drive from Aurora to Thornton covers 25 mi in about 35 min. Local moves still matter β school districts, tax jurisdictions, and housing micromarkets can all flip across short distances. This page pulls the latest federal and Zillow figures into a single side-by-side comparison to make those differences visible.
25 mi Β· 35 min by car Β· CO
Distance & route
| Route through | CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | E470, CR 73 |
| Major cities en route | Centennial, Denver, Lakewood, Arvada, Westminster |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Aurora | Thornton | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Aurora (105.782) and Thornton (105.782) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Moderate housing step-up: Thornton at $502,945 is 0.0% above Aurora at $463,081.
YoY change: Aurora -4.3%, Thornton -3.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Aurora | Thornton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 52Β°F |
| January avg low | 17Β°F | 19Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 44.8" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 14.5" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Heavy-snow city: expect 44.8 in of snowfall annually at Thornton.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CHERRY CREEK DAM, CO US, NORTHGLENN, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Aurora | Thornton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 390,201 | 142,878 |
| Median household income | $84,320 | $100,985 |
| Median age | 35.1 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.4% | 22.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.73 | 2.88 |
Income steps up 0.0%: $84,320 in Aurora vs $100,985 in Thornton.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Thornton 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.
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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Thornton averages 44.8 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Thornton average 91Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Thornton sees only 14.5 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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.
Frequently asked
How far is Thornton, CO from Aurora, CO?
The driving distance is 25 mi and the route typically takes 35 min via E470 and CR 73. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Thornton compare to Aurora?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Thornton MSA vs $58,490 in the Aurora MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Thornton compared to Aurora?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $502,945 in Thornton vs $463,081 in Aurora β a 8.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Aurora vs Thornton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $100,985 in Thornton vs $84,320 in Aurora β a 19.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Aurora to Thornton?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 25 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· Thornton, CO.