Moving from Thornton, CO to Spokane Valley, WA
It is 1073 mi between Thornton and Spokane Valley β roughly 17h 54m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 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.
1073 mi Β· 17h 54m by car Β· CO β WY β MT β ID β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | CO β WY β MT β ID β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, I 25, US 87 |
| Major cities en route | Denver, Aurora, Lakewood, Centennial, Arvada |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Thornton | Spokane Valley | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 100.346 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 91.196 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 105.028 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 97.059 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 5.1% moving from Thornton to Spokane Valley β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in Spokane Valley run about 5.1% cheaper β ZHVI $502,945 β $408,888 (2026-03).
YoY change: Thornton -3.3%, Spokane Valley +0.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Thornton | Spokane Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 26Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 44.8" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 14.5" | 17.4" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 52.4Β°F vs 49.8Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: NORTHGLENN, CO US, SPOKANE FELTS FLD, WA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Thornton | Spokane Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 142,878 | 105,460 |
| Median household income | $100,985 | $70,722 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 37.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.3% | 16.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.88 | 2.47 |
Spokane Valley households earn about 5.1% less than Thornton at the median β $100,985 β $70,722 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Spokane Valley MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 31,380 | $46,000 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 23,780 | $38,530 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 22,620 | $44,880 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 22,480 | $35,500 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 17,820 | $95,340 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and Washington
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Washington'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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- Montana interstates can close without notice in winter storms β check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Wildfire season east of the Cascades peaks July through September; earthquake preparedness is standard west of the mountains.
- 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 Washington after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Spokane Valley compared to Thornton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $408,888 in Spokane Valley vs $502,945 in Thornton β a 18.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Thornton to Spokane Valley?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1073 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Spokane Valley, WA from Thornton, CO?
The driving distance is 1073 mi and the route typically takes 17h 54m via I 90 and I 25. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Spokane Valley more expensive than Thornton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Spokane Valley is 5.1% lower than Thornton (100.346 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Spokane Valley compare to Thornton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,920 in the Spokane Valley MSA vs $58,490 in the Thornton MSA, on total employment of 255,160 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 Spokane Valley?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $70,722 in Spokane Valley vs $100,985 in Thornton β a 30.0% 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 Β· Spokane Valley, WA.