Moving from Salt Lake City, UT to Aurora, CO
It is 533 mi between Salt Lake City and Aurora β roughly 9h 8m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 3 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.
533 mi Β· 9h 8m by car Β· CO β WY β UT
Distance & route
| Route through | CO β WY β UT |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 25, US 287 |
| Major cities en route | Centennial, Denver, Thornton, Lakewood, Arvada |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Salt Lake City | Aurora | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.868 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 79 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.446 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 123.311 | 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
Housing comes in 4.9% under Salt Lake City β $573,181 β $463,081 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Salt Lake City +1.6%, Aurora -4.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Salt Lake City | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 28Β°F | 17Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 49.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 17.7" | β |
Annual temperature drops 5.0Β°F moving to Aurora per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SALT LAKE TRIAD CTR, UT US, CHERRY CREEK DAM, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Salt Lake City | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 203,888 | 390,201 |
| Median household income | $74,925 | $84,320 |
| Median age | 33 | 35.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.9% | 21.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.29 | 2.73 |
Households in Aurora earn about 4.9% more at the median β ACS 5-year 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.
Moving between Utah 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.
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.
- Register to vote in Colorado after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Aurora compare to Salt Lake City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Aurora MSA vs $49,440 in the Salt Lake City MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 803,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Salt Lake City vs Aurora?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $84,320 in Aurora vs $74,925 in Salt Lake City β a 12.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Aurora more expensive than Salt Lake City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Aurora is 4.9% higher than Salt Lake City (105.782 vs 100.868, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Salt Lake City to Aurora?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 533 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Aurora, CO from Salt Lake City, UT?
The driving distance is 533 mi and the route typically takes 9h 8m via I 80 and I 25. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Aurora compared to Salt Lake City?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $463,081 in Aurora vs $573,181 in Salt Lake City β a 19.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Salt Lake City.
City profiles: Salt Lake City, UT Β· Aurora, CO.