Moving from Thornton, CO to Pasadena, CA
Relocating 1020 mi from Thornton to Pasadena is a 17h 54m drive through 5 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1020 mi · 17h 54m by car · CO → UT → AZ → NV → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CO → UT → AZ → NV → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 15, I 15 ALT |
| Major cities en route | Westminster, Boulder, Denver, Aurora, Centennial |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Thornton | Pasadena | 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 |
Expect roughly 7.4% higher cost of living — rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 7.4% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $502,945 to $1,209,228 moving to Pasadena.
YoY change: Thornton -3.3%, Pasadena -1.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Thornton | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 19°F | 46°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 89°F |
| Annual snowfall | 44.8" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 14.5" | 20.1" |
Expect 13.6°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Pasadena gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: NORTHGLENN, CO US, PASADENA, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Thornton | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 142,878 | 136,462 |
| Median household income | $100,985 | $103,778 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 40.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.3% | 30% |
| Avg household size | 2.88 | 2.39 |
Median household incomes in Thornton ($100,985) and Pasadena ($103,778) are within a few percent (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Pasadena 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 — 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 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in 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 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (13.6°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 — 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
How far is Pasadena, CA from Thornton, CO?
The driving distance is 1020 mi and the route typically takes 17h 54m via I 70 and I 15. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Thornton and Pasadena?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.0°F in Pasadena vs 52.4°F in Thornton (13.6°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 44.8 in. Annual precipitation: 20.1 in vs 14.5 in.
Is Pasadena more expensive than Thornton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Pasadena is 7.4% higher than Thornton (113.566 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Thornton to Pasadena?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1020 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Thornton vs Pasadena?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $103,778 in Pasadena vs $100,985 in Thornton — a 2.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Pasadena compared to Thornton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,209,228 in Pasadena vs $502,945 in Thornton — a 140.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Pasadena compare to Thornton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Pasadena 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 · Pasadena, CA.