Moving from Boise City, ID to Thornton, CO
It is 805 mi between Boise City and Thornton — roughly 13h 25m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
805 mi · 13h 25m by car · ID → UT → WY → CO
Distance & route
| Route through | ID → UT → WY → CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, US 189, I 84 |
| Major cities en route | Meridian, Nampa, Salt Lake City, Fort Collins, Greeley |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Boise City | Thornton | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.391 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 70.695 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.179 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 105.58 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 7.5% higher cost of living — rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: Boise City —, Thornton -3.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Boise City | Thornton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 52°F |
| January avg low | 26°F | 19°F |
| July avg high | 93°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 17.6" | 44.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.5" | 14.5" |
Annual average temperatures in Boise City (53.2°F) and Thornton (52.4°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Thornton 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: BOISE AIR TERMINAL, ID US, NORTHGLENN, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Boise City | Thornton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 142,878 |
| Median household income | $81,308 | $100,985 |
| Median age | 38.2 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.2% | 22.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.37 | 2.88 |
Thornton households earn about 7.5% more than Boise City at the median — $81,308 → $100,985 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Thornton 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 Idaho 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
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- 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 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- 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
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Thornton averages 44.8 in annually vs 17.6 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Thornton 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: Thornton 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
How does household income compare in Boise City vs Thornton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $100,985 in Thornton vs $81,308 in Boise City — a 24.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Thornton compare to Boise City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Thornton MSA vs $45,320 in the Boise City MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 372,470 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Thornton, CO from Boise City, ID?
The driving distance is 805 mi and the route typically takes 13h 25m via I 80 and US 189. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Thornton more expensive than Boise City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Thornton is 7.5% higher than Boise City (105.782 vs 98.391, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Boise City and Thornton?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 52.4°F in Thornton vs 53.2°F in Boise City (0.8°F colder). Annual snowfall: 44.8 in vs 17.6 in. Annual precipitation: 14.5 in vs 11.5 in.
When is the best time to move from Boise City to Thornton?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 805 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Boise City.
City profiles: Boise City, ID · Thornton, CO.