Moving from Aurora, IL to Westminster, CO
The drive from Aurora, IL to Westminster, CO runs 968 mi — about 17h 3m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
968 mi · 17h 3m by car · IL → IA → NE → CO
Distance & route
| Route through | IL → IA → NE → CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80 EXPRESS, I 80, I 76 |
| Major cities en route | Joliet, Naperville, Elgin, Rockford, Cedar Rapids |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Aurora | Westminster | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Westminster and Aurora is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Westminster is 2.1% above Aurora — $316,958 vs $527,654 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Aurora +2.9%, Westminster -3.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Aurora | Westminster |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50°F | 52°F |
| January avg low | 16°F | 19°F |
| July avg high | 84°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 27.9" | 44.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 39.5" | 14.5" |
Annual average temperatures in Aurora (50.2°F) and Westminster (52.4°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Westminster averages 44.8 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: AURORA, IL US, NORTHGLENN, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Aurora | Westminster |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 179,867 | 115,546 |
| Median household income | $90,109 | $96,145 |
| Median age | 35.2 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.5% | 29.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.98 | 2.41 |
Income steps up 2.1%: $90,109 in Aurora vs $96,145 in Westminster.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Westminster MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 173,910 | $49,000 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 172,890 | $48,280 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 164,250 | $84,370 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 140,150 | $36,010 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 129,510 | $45,350 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Illinois and Colorado
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Colorado'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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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 — check CDOT alerts before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Westminster averages 44.8 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Westminster average 91°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Westminster sees only 14.5 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.
- Register to vote in Colorado after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Westminster more expensive than Aurora?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Westminster is 2.1% higher than Aurora (105.782 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Aurora to Westminster?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 968 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Aurora and Westminster?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 52.4°F in Westminster vs 50.2°F in Aurora (2.2°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 44.8 in vs 27.9 in. Annual precipitation: 14.5 in vs 39.5 in.
How far is Westminster, CO from Aurora, IL?
The driving distance is 968 mi and the route typically takes 17h 3m via I 80 EXPRESS and I 80. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Westminster compared to Aurora?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $527,654 in Westminster vs $316,958 in Aurora — a 66.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Westminster compare to Aurora?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Westminster MSA vs $49,790 in the Aurora MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 4,506,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Aurora vs Westminster?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $96,145 in Westminster vs $90,109 in Aurora — a 6.7% 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, IL · Westminster, CO.