Moving from Madison, WI to Thornton, CO
It is 941 mi between Madison and Thornton β roughly 17h 4m 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.
941 mi Β· 17h 4m by car Β· WI β IA β NE β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | WI β IA β NE β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80 EXPRESS, I 76, US 151 |
| Major cities en route | Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, Omaha, Lincoln, Greeley |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Madison | Thornton | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.287 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.825 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.787 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.748 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 8.7% above Madison β 97.287 β 105.782 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 8.7% above Madison β $423,767 β $502,945 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Madison +2.4%, Thornton -3.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Madison | Thornton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 47Β°F | 52Β°F |
| January avg low | 11Β°F | 19Β°F |
| July avg high | 82Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 44.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.2" | 14.5" |
Annual temperature rises 5.2Β°F moving to Thornton per NOAA normals.
Heavy-snow city: expect 44.8 in of snowfall annually at Thornton.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: UW ARBORETUM - MADISON, WI US, NORTHGLENN, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Madison | Thornton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 275,568 | 142,878 |
| Median household income | $76,983 | $100,985 |
| Median age | 31.8 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.5% | 22.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.19 | 2.88 |
Thornton households earn about 8.7% more than Madison at the median β $76,983 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 Wisconsin 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
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin β check 511wi.
- 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
- 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 Madison?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $502,945 in Thornton vs $423,767 in Madison β a 18.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Madison vs Thornton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $100,985 in Thornton vs $76,983 in Madison β a 31.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Thornton more expensive than Madison?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Thornton is 8.7% higher than Madison (105.782 vs 97.287, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Madison to Thornton?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 941 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 Madison?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Thornton MSA vs $50,910 in the Madison MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 396,960 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Thornton, CO from Madison, WI?
The driving distance is 941 mi and the route typically takes 17h 4m via I 80 EXPRESS and I 76. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Madison.
City profiles: Madison, WI Β· Thornton, CO.