Moving from Thornton, CO to Dallas, TX
It is 791 mi between Thornton and Dallas — roughly 14h 39m 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.
791 mi · 14h 39m by car · TX → OK → CO
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → OK → CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 287, US 81, US 87 |
| Major cities en route | Garland, Mckinney, Mesquite, Richardson, Allen |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Thornton | Dallas | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Thornton and Dallas sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $502,945 in Thornton to $309,421 in Dallas, a 2.5% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Thornton -3.3%, Dallas -3.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Thornton | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52°F | 68°F |
| January avg low | 19°F | 38°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 97°F |
| Annual snowfall | 44.8" | 1.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 14.5" | 38.3" |
Annual average temperature jumps 15.6°F — 52.4°F in Thornton vs 68.0°F in Dallas, per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Expect 1.7 in of snow annually at the destination — manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: NORTHGLENN, CO US, DALLAS LOVE FLD, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Thornton | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 142,878 | 1,299,553 |
| Median household income | $100,985 | $67,760 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 33.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.3% | 22.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.88 | 2.46 |
Dallas households earn about 2.5% less than Thornton at the median — $100,985 → $67,760 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Dallas MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Dallas average 97°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 warmer climate (15.6°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Thornton to Dallas?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 791 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Dallas, TX from Thornton, CO?
The driving distance is 791 mi and the route typically takes 14h 39m via US 287 and US 81. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Dallas more expensive than Thornton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Dallas is 2.5% lower than Thornton (103.09 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Thornton and Dallas?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 68.0°F in Dallas vs 52.4°F in Thornton (15.6°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 1.7 in vs 44.8 in. Annual precipitation: 38.3 in vs 14.5 in.
How does household income compare in Thornton vs Dallas?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,760 in Dallas vs $100,985 in Thornton — a 32.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Dallas compare to Thornton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Dallas MSA vs $58,490 in the Thornton MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Dallas compared to Thornton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $309,421 in Dallas vs $502,945 in Thornton — a 38.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Thornton.
City profiles: Thornton, CO · Dallas, TX.