Moving from Thornton, CO to West Jordan, UT
Relocating 519 mi from Thornton to West Jordan is a 9h 1m drive through 3 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
519 mi Β· 9h 1m by car Β· CO β WY β UT
Distance & route
| Route through | CO β WY β UT |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 25, US 287 |
| 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 | West Jordan | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 100.868 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 79 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 96.446 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 123.311 | 100.0 |
Thornton and West Jordan sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in West Jordan run about 4.6% pricier β ZHVI $502,945 β $561,836 (2026-03).
YoY change: Thornton -3.3%, West Jordan +1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Thornton | West Jordan |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52Β°F | 55Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 25Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 44.8" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 14.5" | β |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 52.4Β°F vs 54.5Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: NORTHGLENN, CO US, DRAPER-POINT OF MTN, UT US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Thornton | West Jordan |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 142,878 | 116,277 |
| Median household income | $100,985 | $103,960 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 33.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.3% | 20.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.88 | 3.2 |
Household income lines up β $100,985 vs $103,960 on ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in West Jordan MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 126,170 | $43,640 |
| Management Occupations | 69,550 | $106,250 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 66,590 | $43,680 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 64,620 | $69,990 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 62,830 | $40,320 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and Utah
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Utah'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.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in West Jordan average 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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 Utah after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Thornton vs West Jordan?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $103,960 in West Jordan vs $100,985 in Thornton β a 2.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in West Jordan compare to Thornton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,440 in the West Jordan MSA vs $58,490 in the Thornton MSA, on total employment of 803,800 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is West Jordan more expensive than Thornton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in West Jordan is 4.6% lower than Thornton (100.868 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in West Jordan compared to Thornton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $561,836 in West Jordan vs $502,945 in Thornton β a 11.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Thornton to West Jordan?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 519 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is West Jordan, UT from Thornton, CO?
The driving distance is 519 mi and the route typically takes 9h 1m via I 80 and I 25. The trip crosses 3 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· West Jordan, UT.