Moving from Thornton, CO to Newark, NJ
Cross-country relocations like Thornton, CO → Newark, NJ cover 1759 mi and about 31h 44m of driving through 8 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1759 mi · 31h 44m by car · NJ → PA → OH → IN → IL → IA → NE → CO
Distance & route
| Route through | NJ → PA → OH → IN → IL → IA → NE → CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 80 EXPRESS, I 76 |
| Major cities en route | New York, Jersey City, Elizabeth, Yonkers, Paterson |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Thornton | Newark | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP moves from 105.782 in Thornton to 112.563 in Newark, a 6.4% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Home prices line up — $502,945 vs $478,455 on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Thornton -3.3%, Newark -0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Thornton | Newark |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52°F | 55°F |
| January avg low | 19°F | 25°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 44.8" | 28.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 14.5" | 50.4" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Heavy-snow city: expect 28.2 in of snowfall annually at Newark.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: NORTHGLENN, CO US, HARRISON, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Thornton | Newark |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 142,878 | 307,188 |
| Median household income | $100,985 | $48,416 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 34.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.3% | 12.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.88 | 2.7 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 6.4% between Thornton and Newark (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Newark MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 1,165,200 | $50,760 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 806,590 | $46,160 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 755,900 | $44,800 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 755,280 | $37,670 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 725,930 | $100,940 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and New Jersey
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check New Jersey'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
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- 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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Newark averages 28.2 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Pack rain gear on top: Newark averages 50.4 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- 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 New Jersey after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Newark, NJ from Thornton, CO?
The driving distance is 1759 mi and the route typically takes 31h 44m via I 80 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Thornton vs Newark?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,416 in Newark vs $100,985 in Thornton — a 52.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Newark compared to Thornton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $478,455 in Newark vs $502,945 in Thornton — a 4.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Newark compare to Thornton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Newark MSA vs $58,490 in the Thornton MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 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 Newark?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1759 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Thornton and Newark?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 54.8°F in Newark vs 52.4°F in Thornton (2.4°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 28.2 in vs 44.8 in. Annual precipitation: 50.4 in vs 14.5 in.
Is Newark more expensive than Thornton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Newark is 6.4% higher than Thornton (112.563 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 · Newark, NJ.