Moving from Aurora, IL to Centennial, CO
The drive from Aurora, IL to Centennial, CO runs 982 mi β about 17h 21m 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.
982 mi Β· 17h 21m by car Β· IL β IA β NE β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | IL β IA β NE β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80 EXPRESS, I 80, I 76 |
| Major cities en route | Joliet, Naperville, Elgin, Rockford, Cedar Rapids |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Aurora | Centennial | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Centennial and Aurora are close on the overall BEA RPP (103.595 vs 105.782); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Centennial typical home at $649,086 is 2.1% above Aurora at $316,958 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Aurora +2.9%, Centennial -2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Aurora | Centennial |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 16Β°F | 19Β°F |
| July avg high | 84Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 27.9" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 39.5" | 15.0" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 50.2Β°F vs 50.2Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: AURORA, IL US, DENVER CENTENNIAL AP, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Aurora | Centennial |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 179,867 | 107,386 |
| Median household income | $90,109 | $128,167 |
| Median age | 35.2 | 41.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.5% | 37% |
| Avg household size | 2.98 | 2.59 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 2.1% between Aurora and Centennial (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Centennial MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 173,910 | $49,000 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 172,890 | $48,280 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 164,250 | $84,370 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 140,150 | $36,010 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 129,510 | $45,350 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Illinois and Colorado
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Colorado'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 Aurora to Centennial?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 982 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 Centennial compare to Aurora?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Centennial MSA vs $49,790 in the Aurora MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 4,506,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Aurora vs Centennial?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $128,167 in Centennial vs $90,109 in Aurora β a 42.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Centennial compared to Aurora?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $649,086 in Centennial vs $316,958 in Aurora β a 104.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Centennial more expensive than Aurora?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Centennial is 2.1% higher than Aurora (105.782 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Centennial, CO from Aurora, IL?
The driving distance is 982 mi and the route typically takes 17h 21m via I 80 EXPRESS and I 80. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Aurora.
City profiles: Aurora, IL Β· Centennial, CO.