Moving from Spokane, WA to Aurora, CO
It is 1104 mi between Spokane and Aurora β roughly 18h 25m 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.
1104 mi Β· 18h 25m by car Β· CO β WY β MT β ID β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | CO β WY β MT β ID β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, I 25, US 87 |
| Major cities en route | Lakewood, Centennial, Denver, Thornton, Arvada |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Spokane | Aurora | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.346 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 91.196 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.028 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 97.059 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 5.4% above Spokane β 100.346 β 105.782 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 5.4% above Spokane β $395,325 β $463,081 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Spokane 0.0%, Aurora -4.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Spokane | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 26Β°F | 17Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 17.4" | β |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SPOKANE FELTS FLD, WA US, CHERRY CREEK DAM, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Spokane | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 229,228 | 390,201 |
| Median household income | $65,745 | $84,320 |
| Median age | 37.2 | 35.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.5% | 21.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.37 | 2.73 |
Aurora households earn about 5.4% more than Spokane at the median β $65,745 β $84,320 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Aurora 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 Washington 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
- 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.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- Montana interstates can close without notice in winter storms β check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Aurora average 90Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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 Spokane vs Aurora?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $84,320 in Aurora vs $65,745 in Spokane β a 28.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Aurora compare to Spokane?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Aurora MSA vs $48,920 in the Spokane MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 255,160 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Aurora more expensive than Spokane?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Aurora is 5.4% higher than Spokane (105.782 vs 100.346, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Aurora, CO from Spokane, WA?
The driving distance is 1104 mi and the route typically takes 18h 25m via I 90 and I 25. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Spokane to Aurora?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1104 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Aurora compared to Spokane?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $463,081 in Aurora vs $395,325 in Spokane β a 17.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Spokane.
City profiles: Spokane, WA Β· Aurora, CO.