Moving from Boulder, CO to Aurora, CO
Relocating from Boulder, CO to Aurora, CO? The drive is 40 mi β about 53 min. Local does not always mean identical: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and NOAA climate can all shift a few percent across short distances. The sections below compare each data layer directly.
40 mi Β· 53 min by car Β· CO
Distance & route
| Route through | CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 36, I 70, I 270 |
| Major cities en route | Centennial, Denver, Thornton, Lakewood, Arvada |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Boulder | Aurora | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.202 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.741 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.052 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 157.02 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 105.202 vs 105.782 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 0.6% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $964,531 to $463,081 moving to Aurora.
YoY change: Boulder -2.0%, Aurora -4.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Boulder | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 17Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 92.8" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 21.2" | β |
Annual average temperatures in Boulder (51.5Β°F) and Aurora (50.8Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: BOULDER, CO US, CHERRY CREEK DAM, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Boulder | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,274 | 390,201 |
| Median household income | $85,364 | $84,320 |
| Median age | 28.8 | 35.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 36.9% | 21.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.42 | 2.73 |
Median household incomes in Boulder ($85,364) and Aurora ($84,320) are within a few percent (ACS 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.
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.
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.
Frequently asked
Is Aurora more expensive than Boulder?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Aurora is 0.6% higher than Boulder (105.782 vs 105.202, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Aurora compare to Boulder?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Aurora MSA vs $64,750 in the Boulder MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 194,440 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Boulder vs Aurora?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $84,320 in Aurora vs $85,364 in Boulder β a 1.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Aurora compared to Boulder?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $463,081 in Aurora vs $964,531 in Boulder β a 52.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Aurora, CO from Boulder, CO?
The driving distance is 40 mi and the route typically takes 53 min via US 36 and I 70. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Boulder to Aurora?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 40 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β 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 Boulder.
City profiles: Boulder, CO Β· Aurora, CO.