Moving from Berkeley, CA to Aurora, CO
Relocating 1254 mi from Berkeley to Aurora is a 21h 25m drive through 5 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.
1254 mi Β· 21h 25m by car Β· CO β WY β UT β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CO β WY β UT β NV β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 25, US 287 |
| Major cities en route | Centennial, Denver, Lakewood, Thornton, Arvada |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Berkeley | Aurora | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Expect about 8.5% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Aurora at 105.782 vs Berkeley at 115.613.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 8.5% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $1,443,684 to $463,081 moving to Aurora.
YoY change: Berkeley -1.2%, Aurora -4.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Berkeley | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 17Β°F |
| July avg high | 74Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 26.1" | β |
Expect 7.7Β°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: BERKELEY, CA US, CHERRY CREEK DAM, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Berkeley | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 390,201 |
| Median household income | $108,558 | $84,320 |
| Median age | 32.9 | 35.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.4% | 21.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.57 | 2.73 |
Expect median household income to fall 8.5% β $108,558 β $84,320 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Aurora 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 California 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 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.
- 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 Aurora average 90Β°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 Colorado after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Berkeley vs Aurora?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $84,320 in Aurora vs $108,558 in Berkeley β a 22.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Aurora compare to Berkeley?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Aurora MSA vs $72,050 in the Berkeley MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Aurora more expensive than Berkeley?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Aurora is 8.5% lower than Berkeley (105.782 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Aurora, CO from Berkeley, CA?
The driving distance is 1254 mi and the route typically takes 21h 25m via I 80 and I 25. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Berkeley to Aurora?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1254 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 Aurora compared to Berkeley?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $463,081 in Aurora vs $1,443,684 in Berkeley β a 67.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Berkeley.
City profiles: Berkeley, CA Β· Aurora, CO.