Moving from Thornton, CO to Arvada, CO
It is a short 18 mi hop from Thornton, CO to Arvada, CO — roughly 34 min behind the wheel. Even at local distance, household costs and housing values can diverge more than the mileage suggests. Below you will find a direct comparison on BEA cost-of-living, Zillow home values, Census demographics, BLS wages, and NOAA climate.
18 mi · 34 min by car · CO
Distance & route
| Route through | CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CO 121 |
| Major cities en route | Aurora, Denver, Boulder, Westminster, Centennial |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Thornton | Arvada | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
0.0% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Thornton -3.3%, Arvada -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Thornton | Arvada |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 19°F | 17°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 88°F |
| Annual snowfall | 44.8" | 75.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 14.5" | 17.1" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Heavy-snow city: expect 75.5 in of snowfall annually at Arvada.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: NORTHGLENN, CO US, WHEAT RIDGE 2, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Thornton | Arvada |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 142,878 | 122,835 |
| Median household income | $100,985 | $113,396 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 40.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.3% | 31.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.88 | 2.47 |
Households in Arvada earn about 0.0% more at the median — ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Arvada 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.
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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Arvada averages 75.5 in annually vs 44.8 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- 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.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Arvada compared to Thornton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $616,566 in Arvada vs $502,945 in Thornton — a 22.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Thornton vs Arvada?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $113,396 in Arvada vs $100,985 in Thornton — a 12.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Thornton to Arvada?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 18 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Thornton and Arvada?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.3°F in Arvada vs 52.4°F in Thornton (2.1°F colder). Annual snowfall: 75.5 in vs 44.8 in. Annual precipitation: 17.1 in vs 14.5 in.
How far is Arvada, CO from Thornton, CO?
The driving distance is 18 mi and the route typically takes 34 min via CO 121. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Arvada compare to Thornton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Arvada MSA vs $58,490 in the Thornton MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Thornton.
City profiles: Thornton, CO · Arvada, CO.