Moving from Provo, UT to Thornton, CO
It is 526 mi between Provo and Thornton — roughly 9h 10m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 3 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.
526 mi · 9h 10m by car · CO → WY → UT
Distance & route
| Route through | CO → WY → UT |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 25, US 287 |
| Major cities en route | Denver, Aurora, Lakewood, Centennial, Arvada |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Provo | Thornton | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.232 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 78.63 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.446 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 104.081 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 7.7% above Provo — 98.232 → 105.782 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing stays roughly flat moving from Provo to Thornton — $484,203 vs $502,945 (2026-03).
YoY change: Provo +2.3%, Thornton -3.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Provo | Thornton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55°F | 52°F |
| January avg low | 24°F | 19°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 44.9" | 44.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 17.2" | 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 1991–2020 (stations: PROVO BYU, UT US, NORTHGLENN, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Provo | Thornton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,303 | 142,878 |
| Median household income | $62,800 | $100,985 |
| Median age | 23.7 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.1% | 22.3% |
| Avg household size | 3.35 | 2.88 |
Thornton households earn about 7.7% more than Provo at the median — $62,800 → $100,985 on 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 Utah 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 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — check WYDOT 511 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.
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 Provo, UT?
The driving distance is 526 mi and the route typically takes 9h 10m via I 80 and I 25. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Thornton more expensive than Provo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Thornton is 7.7% higher than Provo (105.782 vs 98.232, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Provo vs Thornton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $100,985 in Thornton vs $62,800 in Provo — a 60.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Thornton compared to Provo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $502,945 in Thornton vs $484,203 in Provo — a 3.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Thornton compare to Provo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Thornton MSA vs $45,700 in the Provo MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 293,170 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Provo and Thornton?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 52.4°F in Thornton vs 54.6°F in Provo (2.2°F colder). Annual snowfall: 44.8 in vs 44.9 in. Annual precipitation: 14.5 in vs 17.2 in.
When is the best time to move from Provo 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 526 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 Provo.
City profiles: Provo, UT · Thornton, CO.