Moving from Thornton, CO to Omaha, NE
Relocating 525 mi from Thornton to Omaha is a 8h 60m drive through 2 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
525 mi Β· 8h 60m by car Β· NE β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | NE β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 76, I 680 |
| Major cities en route | Lincoln, Greeley, Aurora, Centennial, Denver |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Thornton | Omaha | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 91.911 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 76.378 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 94.063 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 86.404 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 13.1% moving from Thornton to Omaha β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $502,945 in Thornton to $294,189 in Omaha, a 13.1% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Thornton -3.3%, Omaha +1.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Thornton | Omaha |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 15Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 85Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 44.8" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 14.5" | β |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 52.4Β°F vs 51.3Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: NORTHGLENN, CO US, OMAHA #1, NE US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Thornton | Omaha |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 142,878 | 488,197 |
| Median household income | $100,985 | $72,708 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 35.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.3% | 25.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.88 | 2.44 |
Expect median household income to fall 13.1% β $100,985 β $72,708 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Omaha MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 58,590 | $42,850 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 45,020 | $30,130 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 43,680 | $35,980 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 41,730 | $39,370 |
| Management Occupations | 37,950 | $104,990 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and Nebraska
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Nebraska'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 peaks May through July β identify a safe room or interior space 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 Nebraska after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Omaha, NE from Thornton, CO?
The driving distance is 525 mi and the route typically takes 8h 60m via I 80 and I 76. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Omaha compared to Thornton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $294,189 in Omaha vs $502,945 in Thornton β a 41.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Thornton vs Omaha?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $72,708 in Omaha vs $100,985 in Thornton β a 28.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Thornton to Omaha?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 525 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Omaha compare to Thornton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,580 in the Omaha MSA vs $58,490 in the Thornton MSA, on total employment of 483,970 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Omaha more expensive than Thornton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Omaha is 13.1% lower than Thornton (91.911 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· Omaha, NE.