Moving from Thornton, CO to Broken Arrow, OK
It is 715 mi between Thornton and Broken Arrow β roughly 12h 14m 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.
715 mi Β· 12h 14m by car Β· CO β KS β OK
Distance & route
| Route through | CO β KS β OK |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 135, US 81 |
| Major cities en route | Lakewood, Arvada, Westminster, Boulder, Denver |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Thornton | Broken Arrow | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 89.214 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 73.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 93.778 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 68.235 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 15.7% cheaper overall in Broken Arrow than Thornton on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
15.7% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Thornton -3.3%, Broken Arrow +2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Thornton | Broken Arrow |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 26Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 44.8" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 14.5" | β |
Annual temperature rises 7.6Β°F moving to Broken Arrow per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: NORTHGLENN, CO US, BIXBY, OK US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Thornton | Broken Arrow |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 142,878 | 115,919 |
| Median household income | $100,985 | $85,220 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 37 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.3% | 24.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.88 | 2.66 |
Households in Broken Arrow earn about 15.7% less at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Broken Arrow MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 57,490 | $39,200 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 42,230 | $33,990 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 42,030 | $26,730 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 40,710 | $36,500 |
| Production Occupations | 33,610 | $44,720 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and Oklahoma
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Oklahoma'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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Broken Arrow average 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Tornado season peaks April through June β identify a safe room or interior space in the new home on day one.
- 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 Oklahoma after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Broken Arrow, OK from Thornton, CO?
The driving distance is 715 mi and the route typically takes 12h 14m via I 70 and I 135. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Broken Arrow compare to Thornton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,140 in the Broken Arrow MSA vs $58,490 in the Thornton MSA, on total employment of 443,020 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Thornton to Broken Arrow?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 715 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Thornton vs Broken Arrow?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $85,220 in Broken Arrow vs $100,985 in Thornton β a 15.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Broken Arrow compared to Thornton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $286,846 in Broken Arrow vs $502,945 in Thornton β a 43.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Broken Arrow more expensive than Thornton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Broken Arrow is 15.7% lower than Thornton (89.214 vs 105.782, 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 Thornton.
City profiles: Thornton, CO Β· Broken Arrow, OK.