Moving from Thornton, CO to Laredo, TX
It is 1096 mi between Thornton and Laredo — roughly 19h 34m 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.
1096 mi · 19h 34m by car · TX → NM → CO
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → NM → CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 87, I 27, I 25 |
| Major cities en route | San Antonio, Lubbock, Amarillo, Pueblo, Colorado Springs |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Thornton | Laredo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 86.956 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 80.614 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 59.746 | 100.0 |
Expect about 17.8% lower overall cost of living — BEA RPP 2024 has Laredo at 86.956 vs Thornton at 105.782.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 17.8% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $502,945 to $220,331 moving to Laredo.
YoY change: Thornton -3.3%, Laredo +2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Thornton | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52°F | 75°F |
| January avg low | 19°F | 47°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 100°F |
| Annual snowfall | 44.8" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 14.5" | 19.7" |
Expect 22.6°F warmer on average per year — plan for air conditioning and a summer-heavy wardrobe.
Laredo gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: NORTHGLENN, CO US, LAREDO 2, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Thornton | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 142,878 | 255,949 |
| Median household income | $100,985 | $63,264 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 29.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.3% | 15.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.88 | 3.36 |
Laredo households earn about 17.8% less than Thornton at the median — $100,985 → $63,264 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Laredo MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 15,810 | $34,040 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 15,300 | $35,870 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 10,740 | $23,180 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 9,360 | $28,410 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 9,330 | $22,560 |
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 Laredo average 100°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 (22.6°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
How much do homes cost in Laredo compared to Thornton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $220,331 in Laredo vs $502,945 in Thornton — a 56.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Laredo, TX from Thornton, CO?
The driving distance is 1096 mi and the route typically takes 19h 34m via US 87 and I 27. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Thornton vs Laredo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,264 in Laredo vs $100,985 in Thornton — a 37.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Thornton and Laredo?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 75.0°F in Laredo vs 52.4°F in Thornton (22.6°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 44.8 in. Annual precipitation: 19.7 in vs 14.5 in.
How does the job market in Laredo compare to Thornton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $35,220 in the Laredo MSA vs $58,490 in the Thornton MSA, on total employment of 104,610 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Thornton to Laredo?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1096 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Laredo more expensive than Thornton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Laredo is 17.8% lower than Thornton (86.956 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Thornton.
City profiles: Thornton, CO · Laredo, TX.