Moving from Thornton, CO to Pueblo, CO
It is a 128 mi drive, roughly 2h 25m, between Thornton, CO and Pueblo, CO. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
128 mi Β· 2h 25m by car Β· CO
Distance & route
| Route through | CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 25, US 50, US 50 BUS |
| Major cities en route | Boulder, Westminster, Arvada, Denver, Lakewood |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Thornton | Pueblo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 91.762 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 81.933 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 96.052 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 71.285 | 100.0 |
Expect about 13.3% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Pueblo at 91.762 vs Thornton at 105.782.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 13.3% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $502,945 to $283,603 moving to Pueblo.
YoY change: Thornton -3.3%, Pueblo -1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Thornton | Pueblo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 16Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 44.8" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 14.5" | 13.8" |
Annual average temperatures in Thornton (52.4Β°F) and Pueblo (53.1Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: NORTHGLENN, CO US, WFO PUEBLO, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Thornton | Pueblo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 142,878 | 111,514 |
| Median household income | $100,985 | $55,305 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.3% | 14.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.88 | 2.42 |
Pueblo households earn about 13.3% less than Thornton at the median β $100,985 β $55,305 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Pueblo MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 7,340 | $41,440 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 6,170 | $35,290 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 6,010 | $31,240 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 5,440 | $41,710 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 4,910 | $84,190 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% 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 β 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 Pueblo average 93Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Pueblo sees only 13.8 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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 does the job market in Pueblo compare to Thornton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,540 in the Pueblo MSA vs $58,490 in the Thornton MSA, on total employment of 63,190 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Pueblo compared to Thornton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $283,603 in Pueblo vs $502,945 in Thornton β a 43.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Thornton vs Pueblo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,305 in Pueblo vs $100,985 in Thornton β a 45.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Thornton to Pueblo?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 128 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Pueblo more expensive than Thornton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Pueblo is 13.3% lower than Thornton (91.762 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Pueblo, CO from Thornton, CO?
The driving distance is 128 mi and the route typically takes 2h 25m via I 25 and US 50. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Thornton.
City profiles: Thornton, CO Β· Pueblo, CO.