Moving from Thornton, CO to Springfield, MA
A 1897 mi cross-country move between Thornton and Springfield is 34h 28m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 10 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1897 mi Β· 34h 28m by car Β· MA β CT β NY β PA β OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | MA β CT β NY β PA β OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 80 EXPRESS, I 84 |
| Major cities en route | Hartford, Waterbury, New Haven, Bridgeport, Stamford |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Thornton | Springfield | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 96.061 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 154.996 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 97.015 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 75.781 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 9.2% moving from Thornton to Springfield β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $502,945 in Thornton to $294,613 in Springfield, a 9.2% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Thornton -3.3%, Springfield +3.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Thornton | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52Β°F | 49Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 16Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 85Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 44.8" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 14.5" | 45.2" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 52.4Β°F vs 49.4Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: NORTHGLENN, CO US, WESTFIELD BARNES MUNI AP, MA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Thornton | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 142,878 | 154,751 |
| Median household income | $100,985 | $51,339 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 33.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.3% | 10.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.88 | 2.67 |
Springfield households earn about 9.2% less than Thornton at the median β $100,985 β $51,339 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and Massachusetts
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Massachusetts'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
- Lake-effect off Lake Ontario can shut down I-81 and I-90 for hours in winter β check 511NY.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- 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.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Thornton vs Springfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,339 in Springfield vs $100,985 in Thornton β a 49.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Springfield more expensive than Thornton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Springfield is 9.2% lower than Thornton (96.061 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Springfield, MA from Thornton, CO?
The driving distance is 1897 mi and the route typically takes 34h 28m via I 80 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 10 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Thornton to Springfield?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1897 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Springfield compared to Thornton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $294,613 in Springfield vs $502,945 in Thornton β a 41.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Thornton.
City profiles: Thornton, CO Β· Springfield, MA.