Moving from Aurora, CO to Santa Clarita, CA
A move from Aurora, CO to Santa Clarita, CA covers 1029 mi and around 18h 16m of driving through 5 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
1029 mi Β· 18h 16m by car Β· CO β UT β AZ β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CO β UT β AZ β NV β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 15, US 50 |
| Major cities en route | Centennial, Denver, Thornton, Westminster, Lakewood |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Aurora | Santa Clarita | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Santa Clarita is 7.4% higher than Aurora, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Santa Clarita is 7.4% above Aurora β $463,081 vs $802,016 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Aurora -4.3%, Santa Clarita -2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Aurora | Santa Clarita |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 17Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 16.8" |
Santa Clarita runs 14.7Β°F warmer on the annual average (50.8Β°F vs 65.5Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Santa Clarita gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CHERRY CREEK DAM, CO US, NEWHALL 5NW, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Aurora | Santa Clarita |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 390,201 | 229,021 |
| Median household income | $84,320 | $119,926 |
| Median age | 35.1 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.4% | 26.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.73 | 3.04 |
Median household income in Santa Clarita is 7.4% above Aurora ($84,320 vs $119,926, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Santa Clarita MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Santa Clarita average 94Β°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 (14.7Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Santa Clarita compared to Aurora?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $802,016 in Santa Clarita vs $463,081 in Aurora β a 73.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Santa Clarita, CA from Aurora, CO?
The driving distance is 1029 mi and the route typically takes 18h 16m via I 70 and I 15. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Santa Clarita more expensive than Aurora?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Santa Clarita is 7.4% higher than Aurora (113.566 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Santa Clarita compare to Aurora?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Santa Clarita MSA vs $58,490 in the Aurora MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 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 Aurora to Santa Clarita?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1029 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Aurora vs Santa Clarita?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $119,926 in Santa Clarita vs $84,320 in Aurora β a 42.2% higher 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 Aurora.
City profiles: Aurora, CO Β· Santa Clarita, CA.