Moving from Everett, WA to Thornton, CO
It is 1313 mi between Everett and Thornton β roughly 22h 51m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 6 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.
1313 mi Β· 22h 51m by car Β· CO β WY β UT β ID β OR β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | CO β WY β UT β ID β OR β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 84, I 80, US 97 |
| Major cities en route | Denver, Aurora, Lakewood, Centennial, Arvada |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Everett | Thornton | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
4.8% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Everett -0.9%, Thornton -3.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Everett | Thornton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52Β°F | 52Β°F |
| January avg low | 35Β°F | 19Β°F |
| July avg high | 75Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 44.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.3" | 14.5" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Heavy-snow city: expect 44.8 in of snowfall annually at Thornton.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: EVERETT, WA US, NORTHGLENN, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Everett | Thornton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 111,083 | 142,878 |
| Median household income | $81,502 | $100,985 |
| Median age | 37.1 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.8% | 22.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.51 | 2.88 |
Thornton households earn about 4.8% more than Everett at the median β $81,502 β $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 Washington 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.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
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 β pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Thornton average 91Β°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 much do homes cost in Thornton compared to Everett?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $502,945 in Thornton vs $662,786 in Everett β a 24.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Thornton, CO from Everett, WA?
The driving distance is 1313 mi and the route typically takes 22h 51m via I 84 and I 80. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Everett to Thornton?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1313 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Thornton compare to Everett?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Thornton MSA vs $65,260 in the Everett MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Everett vs Thornton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $100,985 in Thornton vs $81,502 in Everett β a 23.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Thornton more expensive than Everett?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Thornton is 4.8% lower than Everett (105.782 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Everett.
City profiles: Everett, WA Β· Thornton, CO.