Moving from Elizabeth, NJ to Thornton, CO
Cross-country relocations like Elizabeth, NJ → Thornton, CO cover 1762 mi and about 31h 55m of driving through 8 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1762 mi · 31h 55m by car · CO → NE → IA → IL → IN → OH → PA → NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | CO → NE → IA → IL → IN → OH → PA → NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 90, I 76 |
| Major cities en route | Lakewood, Arvada, Westminster, Boulder, Denver |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Elizabeth | Thornton | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 112.563 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 127.018 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 110.261 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.616 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Thornton are 6.0% below Elizabeth — a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow typical home value is 6.0% lower in Thornton than Elizabeth as of 2026-03.
YoY change: Elizabeth +3.3%, Thornton -3.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Elizabeth | Thornton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56°F | 52°F |
| January avg low | 26°F | 19°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 31.5" | 44.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 46.6" | 14.5" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 55.5°F vs 52.4°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Thornton sees 44.8 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: NEWARK INTL AP, NJ US, NORTHGLENN, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Elizabeth | Thornton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 142,878 |
| Median household income | $63,874 | $100,985 |
| Median age | 35.8 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 9.8% | 22.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.96 | 2.88 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 6.0% between Elizabeth and Thornton (ACS 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 New Jersey 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.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
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 — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- 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.
- 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 far is Thornton, CO from Elizabeth, NJ?
The driving distance is 1762 mi and the route typically takes 31h 55m via I 80 and I 90. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Thornton compare to Elizabeth?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Thornton MSA vs $59,390 in the Elizabeth MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 9,495,240 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Thornton more expensive than Elizabeth?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Thornton is 6.0% lower than Elizabeth (105.782 vs 112.563, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Elizabeth and Thornton?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 52.4°F in Thornton vs 55.5°F in Elizabeth (3.1°F colder). Annual snowfall: 44.8 in vs 31.5 in. Annual precipitation: 14.5 in vs 46.6 in.
When is the best time to move from Elizabeth 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 1762 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Thornton compared to Elizabeth?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $502,945 in Thornton vs $534,667 in Elizabeth — a 5.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Elizabeth vs Thornton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $100,985 in Thornton vs $63,874 in Elizabeth — a 58.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Elizabeth.
City profiles: Elizabeth, NJ · Thornton, CO.