Moving from Thornton, CO to Cedar Rapids, IA
It is 777 mi between Thornton and Cedar Rapids β roughly 13h 46m 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.
777 mi Β· 13h 46m by car Β· CO β NE β IA
Distance & route
| Route through | CO β NE β IA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 76, US 30 |
| 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 | Cedar Rapids | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 88.963 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 83.981 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 93.73 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 71.447 | 100.0 |
Expect about 15.9% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Cedar Rapids at 88.963 vs Thornton at 105.782.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 15.9% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $502,945 to $204,112 moving to Cedar Rapids.
YoY change: Thornton -3.3%, Cedar Rapids +2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Thornton | Cedar Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52Β°F | 48Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 11Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 83Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 44.8" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 14.5" | 35.9" |
Annual average temperatures in Thornton (52.4Β°F) and Cedar Rapids (48.3Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: NORTHGLENN, CO US, CEDAR RAPIDS MUNI AP, IA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Thornton | Cedar Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 142,878 | 136,859 |
| Median household income | $100,985 | $67,859 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 36.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.3% | 22.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.88 | 2.32 |
Cedar Rapids households earn about 15.9% less than Thornton at the median β $100,985 β $67,859 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Cedar Rapids MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 16,490 | $43,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 14,280 | $46,000 |
| Production Occupations | 13,570 | $46,060 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 11,520 | $34,850 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 11,280 | $29,630 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and Iowa
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Iowa'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
- Tornado season runs April through June β identify a safe room or interior space early.
- 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 Iowa after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Cedar Rapids, IA from Thornton, CO?
The driving distance is 777 mi and the route typically takes 13h 46m via I 80 and I 76. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Cedar Rapids compare to Thornton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,670 in the Cedar Rapids MSA vs $58,490 in the Thornton MSA, on total employment of 140,020 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 Cedar Rapids?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 777 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Cedar Rapids compared to Thornton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $204,112 in Cedar Rapids vs $502,945 in Thornton β a 59.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Thornton vs Cedar Rapids?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,859 in Cedar Rapids vs $100,985 in Thornton β a 32.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Cedar Rapids more expensive than Thornton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Cedar Rapids is 15.9% lower than Thornton (88.963 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· Cedar Rapids, IA.