Moving from Thornton, CO to Nampa, ID
The drive from Thornton, CO to Nampa, ID runs 822 mi — about 13h 45m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
822 mi · 13h 45m by car · CO → WY → UT → ID
Distance & route
| Route through | CO → WY → UT → ID |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 84, I 80, I 25 |
| Major cities en route | Denver, Aurora, Lakewood, Centennial, Arvada |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Thornton | Nampa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 98.391 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 70.695 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 96.179 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 105.58 | 100.0 |
Nampa is 7.0% cheaper than Thornton overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Nampa is 7.0% below Thornton ($412,277 vs $502,945 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Thornton -3.3%, Nampa +0.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Thornton | Nampa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52°F | 52°F |
| January avg low | 19°F | 23°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 93°F |
| Annual snowfall | 44.8" | 9.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 14.5" | 11.0" |
Annual average temperatures in Thornton (52.4°F) and Nampa (52.0°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Nampa averages 9.7 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: NORTHGLENN, CO US, NAMPA SUGAR FACTORY, ID US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Thornton | Nampa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 142,878 | 106,289 |
| Median household income | $100,985 | $72,122 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 34.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.3% | 16.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.88 | 2.85 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 7.0% between Thornton and Nampa (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Nampa MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 49,860 | $40,850 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 32,370 | $39,170 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 31,530 | $29,290 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 31,420 | $37,030 |
| Management Occupations | 29,410 | $89,660 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and Idaho
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Idaho'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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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 — check CDOT alerts before departure.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — 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.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Nampa average 93°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Nampa sees only 11.0 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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 Idaho after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Nampa more expensive than Thornton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Nampa is 7.0% lower than Thornton (98.391 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Nampa, ID from Thornton, CO?
The driving distance is 822 mi and the route typically takes 13h 45m via I 84 and I 80. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Thornton vs Nampa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $72,122 in Nampa vs $100,985 in Thornton — a 28.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Thornton and Nampa?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 52.0°F in Nampa vs 52.4°F in Thornton (0.4°F colder). Annual snowfall: 9.7 in vs 44.8 in. Annual precipitation: 11.0 in vs 14.5 in.
When is the best time to move from Thornton to Nampa?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 822 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Nampa compare to Thornton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,320 in the Nampa MSA vs $58,490 in the Thornton MSA, on total employment of 372,470 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Nampa compared to Thornton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $412,277 in Nampa vs $502,945 in Thornton — a 18.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Thornton.
City profiles: Thornton, CO · Nampa, ID.