Moving from Bakersfield, CA to Centennial, CO
It is 1045 mi between Bakersfield and Centennial β roughly 18h 26m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1045 mi Β· 18h 26m by car Β· CA β NV β AZ β UT β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β NV β AZ β UT β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 15, CA 58 |
| Major cities en route | Lancaster, Palmdale, Victorville, Henderson, Las Vegas |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Bakersfield | Centennial | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.886 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.257 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 90.291 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Bakersfield and Centennial sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $396,047 in Bakersfield to $649,086 in Centennial, a 4.9% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Bakersfield -0.3%, Centennial -2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Bakersfield | Centennial |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 39Β°F | 19Β°F |
| July avg high | 97Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 6.7" | 15.0" |
Annual temperature drops 14.9Β°F moving to Centennial per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: BAKERSFIELD 5 NW, CA US, DENVER CENTENNIAL AP, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Bakersfield | Centennial |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 107,386 |
| Median household income | $77,397 | $128,167 |
| Median age | 31.9 | 41.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.1% | 37% |
| Avg household size | 3.2 | 2.59 |
Centennial households earn about 4.9% more than Bakersfield at the median β $77,397 β $128,167 on 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 California 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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter 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 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- 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
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (14.9Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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 Colorado after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Centennial compare to Bakersfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Centennial MSA vs $44,960 in the Bakersfield MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 330,270 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Bakersfield vs Centennial?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $128,167 in Centennial vs $77,397 in Bakersfield β a 65.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Bakersfield to Centennial?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1045 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Centennial more expensive than Bakersfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Centennial is 4.9% higher than Bakersfield (105.782 vs 100.886, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Centennial, CO from Bakersfield, CA?
The driving distance is 1045 mi and the route typically takes 18h 26m via I 70 and I 15. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Centennial compared to Bakersfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $649,086 in Centennial vs $396,047 in Bakersfield β a 63.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Bakersfield.
City profiles: Bakersfield, CA Β· Centennial, CO.