Moving from Thornton, CO to Houston, TX
A move from Thornton, CO to Houston, TX covers 1027 mi and around 18h 47m of driving through 3 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
1027 mi · 18h 47m by car · TX → OK → CO
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → OK → CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 287, I 45, US 81 |
| Major cities en route | Pasadena, Pearland, League City, Sugar Land, Mesquite |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Thornton | Houston | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 105.782 to 98.629, putting Houston roughly 6.8% below Thornton on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Houston: 6.8% below Thornton on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Thornton -3.3%, Houston -2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Thornton | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52°F | 71°F |
| January avg low | 19°F | 44°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 93°F |
| Annual snowfall | 44.8" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 14.5" | 54.1" |
Major climate step-up: 18.2°F warmer annual average in Houston vs Thornton.
Effectively snow-free year in Houston — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: NORTHGLENN, CO US, HOUSTON-PORT, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Thornton | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 142,878 | 2,300,419 |
| Median household income | $100,985 | $62,894 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.3% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.88 | 2.51 |
Median household income in Houston is 6.8% below Thornton ($100,985 vs $62,894, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Houston MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 387,430 | $41,570 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 305,780 | $39,450 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 288,170 | $27,490 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 269,160 | $35,450 |
| Management Occupations | 268,670 | $109,460 |
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 Houston average 93°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Houston averages 54.1 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (18.2°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 Houston?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1027 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Houston compared to Thornton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $264,336 in Houston vs $502,945 in Thornton — a 47.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Houston, TX from Thornton, CO?
The driving distance is 1027 mi and the route typically takes 18h 47m via US 287 and I 45. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Houston compare to Thornton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Houston MSA vs $58,490 in the Thornton MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Thornton and Houston?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.6°F in Houston vs 52.4°F in Thornton (18.2°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 44.8 in. Annual precipitation: 54.1 in vs 14.5 in.
Is Houston more expensive than Thornton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Houston is 6.8% lower than Thornton (98.629 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Thornton vs Houston?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,894 in Houston vs $100,985 in Thornton — a 37.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Thornton.
City profiles: Thornton, CO · Houston, TX.