Moving from Sparks, NV to Aurora, CO
A move from Sparks, NV to Aurora, CO covers 1045 mi and around 17h 27m of driving through 4 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
1045 mi Β· 17h 27m by car Β· CO β WY β UT β NV
Distance & route
| Route through | CO β WY β UT β NV |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 25, US 287 |
| Major cities en route | Lakewood, Centennial, Denver, Thornton, Arvada |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Sparks | Aurora | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 101.014 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.274 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.271 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 123.478 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Aurora and Sparks is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Aurora is 4.7% below Sparks ($463,081 vs $529,283 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Sparks -0.5%, Aurora -4.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Sparks | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 25Β°F | 17Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 6.8" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 8.4" | β |
Annual average temperatures in Sparks (53.5Β°F) and Aurora (50.8Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SPARKS, NV US, CHERRY CREEK DAM, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Sparks | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 109,106 | 390,201 |
| Median household income | $86,979 | $84,320 |
| Median age | 36.9 | 35.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.9% | 21.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.64 | 2.73 |
Median household incomes in Sparks ($86,979) 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.
Moving between Nevada 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.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter 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 household income compare in Sparks vs Aurora?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $84,320 in Aurora vs $86,979 in Sparks β a 3.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Aurora, CO from Sparks, NV?
The driving distance is 1045 mi and the route typically takes 17h 27m via I 80 and I 25. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Aurora compared to Sparks?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $463,081 in Aurora vs $529,283 in Sparks β a 12.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Aurora compare to Sparks?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Aurora MSA vs $47,540 in the Sparks MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 254,100 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Sparks to Aurora?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1045 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Aurora more expensive than Sparks?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Aurora is 4.7% higher than Sparks (105.782 vs 101.014, 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 Sparks.
City profiles: Sparks, NV Β· Aurora, CO.