Moving from Stockton, CA to Aurora, CO
It is 1225 mi between Stockton and Aurora β roughly 20h 51m 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.
1225 mi Β· 20h 51m by car Β· CO β WY β UT β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CO β WY β UT β NV β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 25, US 287 |
| Major cities en route | Centennial, Denver, Lakewood, Thornton, Arvada |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Stockton | Aurora | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.089 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.247 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 115.614 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Stockton and Aurora sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in Aurora run about 0.7% pricier β ZHVI $431,328 β $463,081 (2026-03).
YoY change: Stockton -3.7%, Aurora -4.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Stockton | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 39Β°F | 17Β°F |
| July avg high | 95Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 17.3" | β |
Annual temperature drops 13.1Β°F moving to Aurora per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: STOCKTON FIRE STN 4, CA US, CHERRY CREEK DAM, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Stockton | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 320,470 | 390,201 |
| Median household income | $76,851 | $84,320 |
| Median age | 33.7 | 35.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 13% | 21.4% |
| Avg household size | 3.26 | 2.73 |
Households in Aurora earn about 0.7% more at the median β ACS 5-year 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 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
- 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.
- 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 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
- 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.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (13.1Β°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 Aurora compare to Stockton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Aurora MSA vs $48,370 in the Stockton MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 278,010 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Aurora, CO from Stockton, CA?
The driving distance is 1225 mi and the route typically takes 20h 51m 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 Stockton to Aurora?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1225 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Stockton vs Aurora?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $84,320 in Aurora vs $76,851 in Stockton β a 9.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Aurora more expensive than Stockton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Aurora is 0.7% higher than Stockton (105.782 vs 105.089, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Aurora compared to Stockton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $463,081 in Aurora vs $431,328 in Stockton β a 7.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Stockton.
City profiles: Stockton, CA Β· Aurora, CO.