Moving from Thornton, CO to El Paso, TX
It is 643 mi between Thornton and El Paso — roughly 12h 32m 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.
643 mi · 12h 32m by car · TX → NM → CO
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → NM → CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 25, US 54, US 84 |
| Major cities en route | Pueblo, Colorado Springs, Centennial, Aurora, Lakewood |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Thornton | El Paso | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 89.912 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 82.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 71.248 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 15.0% moving from Thornton to El Paso — meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $502,945 in Thornton to $234,775 in El Paso, a 15.0% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Thornton -3.3%, El Paso +1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Thornton | El Paso |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 19°F | 35°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 96°F |
| Annual snowfall | 44.8" | 2.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 14.5" | 8.8" |
Annual temperature rises 13.8°F moving to El Paso per NOAA normals.
Expect 2.8 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, EL PASO INTL AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Thornton | El Paso |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 142,878 | 678,147 |
| Median household income | $100,985 | $58,734 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 34.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.3% | 18.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.88 | 2.8 |
El Paso households earn about 15.0% less than Thornton at the median — $100,985 → $58,734 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in El Paso MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 44,500 | $35,550 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 34,790 | $23,150 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 32,160 | $33,850 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 31,050 | $28,800 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 23,040 | $61,670 |
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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- 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 El Paso average 96°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: El Paso sees only 8.8 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (13.8°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
How far is El Paso, TX from Thornton, CO?
The driving distance is 643 mi and the route typically takes 12h 32m via I 25 and US 54. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in El Paso compare to Thornton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $36,000 in the El Paso MSA vs $58,490 in the Thornton MSA, on total employment of 323,310 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Thornton vs El Paso?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,734 in El Paso vs $100,985 in Thornton — a 41.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Thornton and El Paso?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.2°F in El Paso vs 52.4°F in Thornton (13.8°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 2.8 in vs 44.8 in. Annual precipitation: 8.8 in vs 14.5 in.
Is El Paso more expensive than Thornton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in El Paso is 15.0% lower than Thornton (89.912 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in El Paso compared to Thornton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $234,775 in El Paso vs $502,945 in Thornton — a 53.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Thornton to El Paso?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 643 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — 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 Thornton.
City profiles: Thornton, CO · El Paso, TX.