Moving from Des Moines, IA to Thornton, CO
The drive from Des Moines, IA to Thornton, CO runs 662 mi — about 11h 31m 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.
662 mi · 11h 31m by car · IA → NE → CO
Distance & route
| Route through | IA → NE → CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80 EXPRESS, I 76, I 80 |
| Major cities en route | Omaha, Lincoln, Greeley, Aurora, Denver |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Des Moines | Thornton | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.701 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.585 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.73 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 84.741 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Thornton is 15.4% higher than Des Moines, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Thornton is 15.4% above Des Moines — $208,166 vs $502,945 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Des Moines +0.8%, Thornton -3.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Des Moines | Thornton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51°F | 52°F |
| January avg low | 14°F | 19°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 36.5" | 44.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 36.6" | 14.5" |
Annual average temperatures in Des Moines (50.9°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: DES MOINES INTL AP, IA US, NORTHGLENN, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Des Moines | Thornton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 142,878 |
| Median household income | $63,966 | $100,985 |
| Median age | 34.6 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.9% | 22.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.88 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 15.4% between Des Moines and Thornton (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 Iowa 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: Thornton 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 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 Des Moines vs Thornton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $100,985 in Thornton vs $63,966 in Des Moines — a 57.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Thornton compared to Des Moines?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $502,945 in Thornton vs $208,166 in Des Moines — a 141.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Thornton more expensive than Des Moines?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Thornton is 15.4% higher than Des Moines (105.782 vs 91.701, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Des Moines and Thornton?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 52.4°F in Thornton vs 50.9°F in Des Moines (1.5°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 44.8 in vs 36.5 in. Annual precipitation: 14.5 in vs 36.6 in.
How far is Thornton, CO from Des Moines, IA?
The driving distance is 662 mi and the route typically takes 11h 31m via I 80 EXPRESS and I 76. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Thornton compare to Des Moines?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Thornton MSA vs $49,550 in the Des Moines MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 383,190 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Des Moines 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 662 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 Des Moines.
City profiles: Des Moines, IA · Thornton, CO.