Moving from Aurora, CO to Wichita, KS
It is 504 mi between Aurora and Wichita β roughly 8h 32m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 2 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
504 mi Β· 8h 32m by car Β· KS β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | KS β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, US 40, I 135 |
| Major cities en route | Thornton, Denver, Lakewood, Westminster, Arvada |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Aurora | Wichita | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 88.946 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 88.459 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 94.027 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 66.245 | 100.0 |
Expect about 15.9% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Wichita at 88.946 vs Aurora at 105.782.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 15.9% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $463,081 to $202,720 moving to Wichita.
YoY change: Aurora -4.3%, Wichita +2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Aurora | Wichita |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 58Β°F |
| January avg low | 17Β°F | 23Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 12.7" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 34.3" |
Annual temperature rises 6.9Β°F moving to Wichita per NOAA normals.
Wichita averages 12.7 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CHERRY CREEK DAM, CO US, WICHITA, KS US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Aurora | Wichita |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 390,201 | 396,488 |
| Median household income | $84,320 | $63,072 |
| Median age | 35.1 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.4% | 19.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.73 | 2.52 |
Wichita households earn about 15.9% less than Aurora at the median β $84,320 β $63,072 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Wichita MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 36,200 | $38,160 |
| Production Occupations | 30,560 | $49,520 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 26,850 | $27,770 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 25,880 | $31,600 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 23,580 | $37,870 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and Kansas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Kansas'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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Wichita averages 12.7 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 Wichita average 93Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Tornado season peaks April through June β identify a safe room or interior space in the new home on day one.
- 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 Kansas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Wichita compared to Aurora?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $202,720 in Wichita vs $463,081 in Aurora β a 56.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Wichita, KS from Aurora, CO?
The driving distance is 504 mi and the route typically takes 8h 32m via I 70 and US 40. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Aurora to Wichita?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 504 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 Wichita compare to Aurora?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,790 in the Wichita MSA vs $58,490 in the Aurora MSA, on total employment of 303,910 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 Wichita?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,072 in Wichita vs $84,320 in Aurora β a 25.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Wichita more expensive than Aurora?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Wichita is 15.9% lower than Aurora (88.946 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· Wichita, KS.