Moving from Burbank, CA to Thornton, CO
It is 1032 mi between Burbank and Thornton — roughly 18h 7m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 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.
1032 mi · 18h 7m by car · CO → UT → AZ → NV → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CO → UT → AZ → NV → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 15, I 15 ALT |
| Major cities en route | Westminster, Boulder, Denver, Aurora, Centennial |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Burbank | Thornton | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 6.9% cheaper overall in Thornton than Burbank on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
6.9% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Burbank -2.4%, Thornton -3.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Burbank | Thornton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65°F | 52°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 19°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 44.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 16.5" | 14.5" |
Annual temperature drops 12.1°F moving to Thornton per NOAA normals.
Heavy-snow city: expect 44.8 in of snowfall annually at Thornton.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: BURBANK VALLEY PUMP PLT, CA US, NORTHGLENN, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Burbank | Thornton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,165 | 142,878 |
| Median household income | $95,816 | $100,985 |
| Median age | 39.8 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31% | 22.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.44 | 2.88 |
Households in Thornton earn about 6.9% more at the median — ACS 5-year 2023.
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.
Moving between California and Colorado
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Colorado'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
- 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.
- 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.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Thornton averages 44.8 in annually vs 0.0 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Thornton average 91°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.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (12.1°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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 Colorado after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Thornton compare to Burbank?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Thornton MSA vs $50,490 in the Burbank MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Thornton compared to Burbank?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $502,945 in Thornton vs $1,200,885 in Burbank — a 58.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Thornton, CO from Burbank, CA?
The driving distance is 1032 mi and the route typically takes 18h 7m via I 70 and I 15. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Burbank and Thornton?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 52.4°F in Thornton vs 64.5°F in Burbank (12.1°F colder). Annual snowfall: 44.8 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 14.5 in vs 16.5 in.
How does household income compare in Burbank vs Thornton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $100,985 in Thornton vs $95,816 in Burbank — a 5.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Thornton more expensive than Burbank?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Thornton is 6.9% lower than Burbank (105.782 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Burbank to Thornton?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1032 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — 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 Burbank.
City profiles: Burbank, CA · Thornton, CO.