Moving from Thornton, CO to Toledo, OH
The drive from Thornton, CO to Toledo, OH runs 1219 mi β about 21h 47m 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.
1219 mi Β· 21h 47m by car Β· OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 80 EXPRESS, I 90 |
| Major cities en route | South Bend, Chicago, Naperville, Joliet, Aurora |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Thornton | Toledo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 91.455 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 96.285 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 93.628 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 67.317 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Toledo are 13.5% below Thornton β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Toledo typical home at $129,627 is 13.5% under Thornton at $502,945 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Thornton -3.3%, Toledo +5.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Thornton | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 20Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 85Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 44.8" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 14.5" | 32.4" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 52.4Β°F vs 51.4Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: NORTHGLENN, CO US, TOLEDO METCALF FLD, OH US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Thornton | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 142,878 | 268,461 |
| Median household income | $100,985 | $47,532 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.3% | 13.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.88 | 2.27 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 13.5% between Thornton and Toledo (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Toledo MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 33,160 | $39,900 |
| Production Occupations | 31,420 | $45,220 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 30,850 | $41,570 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 27,870 | $28,590 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 22,710 | $32,930 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and Ohio
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Ohio'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.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Thornton to Toledo?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1219 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Toledo more expensive than Thornton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Toledo is 13.5% lower than Thornton (91.455 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Thornton vs Toledo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $47,532 in Toledo vs $100,985 in Thornton β a 52.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Toledo compare to Thornton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,740 in the Toledo MSA vs $58,490 in the Thornton MSA, on total employment of 290,070 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Toledo, OH from Thornton, CO?
The driving distance is 1219 mi and the route typically takes 21h 47m via I 80 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Toledo compared to Thornton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $129,627 in Toledo vs $502,945 in Thornton β a 74.2% 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 Β· Toledo, OH.