Moving from Roseville, CA to Thornton, CO
Relocating 1141 mi from Roseville to Thornton is a 19h 22m drive through 5 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1141 mi Β· 19h 22m by car Β· CA β NV β UT β WY β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β NV β UT β WY β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 25, US 287 |
| Major cities en route | Sacramento, Elk Grove, Reno, Sparks, Salt Lake City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Roseville | Thornton | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.67 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 151.29 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 130.23 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
0.8% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Roseville -1.4%, Thornton -3.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Roseville | Thornton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61Β°F | 52Β°F |
| January avg low | 38Β°F | 19Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 44.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 18.0" | 14.5" |
Expect 8.8Β°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Heavy-snow city: expect 44.8 in of snowfall annually at Thornton.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SACRAMENTO METRO AP, CA US, NORTHGLENN, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Roseville | Thornton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,438 | 142,878 |
| Median household income | $117,354 | $100,985 |
| Median age | 39.8 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30% | 22.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.63 | 2.88 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 0.8% lower in Thornton than Roseville.
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 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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- 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-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- 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.
- Register to vote in Colorado after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Roseville vs Thornton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $100,985 in Thornton vs $117,354 in Roseville β a 13.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Thornton compared to Roseville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $502,945 in Thornton vs $644,324 in Roseville β a 21.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Thornton compare to Roseville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Thornton MSA vs $55,290 in the Roseville MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 1,048,170 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Thornton more expensive than Roseville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Thornton is 0.8% lower than Roseville (105.782 vs 106.67, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Thornton, CO from Roseville, CA?
The driving distance is 1141 mi and the route typically takes 19h 22m via I 80 and I 25. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Roseville to Thornton?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1141 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 Roseville.
City profiles: Roseville, CA Β· Thornton, CO.