Moving from Thornton, CO to Long Beach, CA
A move from Thornton, CO to Long Beach, CA covers 1041 mi and around 18h 23m of driving through 5 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.
1041 mi Β· 18h 23m by car Β· CA β NV β AZ β UT β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β NV β AZ β UT β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 15, US 66 HIST |
| Major cities en route | Torrance, Santa Ana, Irvine, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Thornton | Long Beach | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 7.4% pricier overall in Long Beach than Thornton on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Long Beach typical home at $857,861 is 7.4% above Thornton at $502,945 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Thornton -3.3%, Long Beach +0.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Thornton | Long Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 44.8" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 14.5" | 12.0" |
Long Beach runs 12.5Β°F warmer on the annual average (52.4Β°F vs 64.9Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: NORTHGLENN, CO US, LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Thornton | Long Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 142,878 | 458,491 |
| Median household income | $100,985 | $83,969 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 36.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.3% | 22.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.88 | 2.68 |
Median household income in Long Beach is 7.4% below Thornton ($100,985 β $83,969, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Long Beach MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- 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.
- 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
- Dry climate: Long Beach sees only 12.0 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (12.5Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Thornton to Long Beach?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1041 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 Long Beach compared to Thornton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $857,861 in Long Beach vs $502,945 in Thornton β a 70.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Long Beach, CA from Thornton, CO?
The driving distance is 1041 mi and the route typically takes 18h 23m via I 70 and I 15. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Thornton vs Long Beach?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $83,969 in Long Beach vs $100,985 in Thornton β a 16.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Long Beach more expensive than Thornton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Long Beach is 7.4% higher than Thornton (113.566 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Long Beach compare to Thornton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Long Beach MSA vs $58,490 in the Thornton MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Thornton.
City profiles: Thornton, CO Β· Long Beach, CA.