Moving from Berkeley, CA to Centennial, CO
A move from Berkeley, CA to Centennial, CO covers 1256 mi and around 21h 36m of driving through 5 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
1256 mi Β· 21h 36m by car Β· CA β NV β UT β WY β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β NV β UT β WY β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 25, US 287 |
| Major cities en route | Oakland, Hayward, San Mateo, Richmond, Vallejo |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Berkeley | Centennial | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Centennial is 8.5% cheaper than Berkeley overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Centennial is 8.5% below Berkeley β $1,443,684 vs $649,086 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Berkeley -1.2%, Centennial -2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Berkeley | Centennial |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 19Β°F |
| July avg high | 74Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 26.1" | 15.0" |
Centennial is 8.3Β°F cooler on the annual average (58.5Β°F vs 50.2Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: BERKELEY, CA US, DENVER CENTENNIAL AP, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Berkeley | Centennial |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 107,386 |
| Median household income | $108,558 | $128,167 |
| Median age | 32.9 | 41.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.4% | 37% |
| Avg household size | 2.57 | 2.59 |
Median household income in Centennial is 8.5% above Berkeley ($108,558 β $128,167, 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-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-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- 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
How does the job market in Centennial compare to Berkeley?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Centennial MSA vs $72,050 in the Berkeley MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Centennial more expensive than Berkeley?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Centennial is 8.5% lower than Berkeley (105.782 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Berkeley vs Centennial?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $128,167 in Centennial vs $108,558 in Berkeley β a 18.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Berkeley to Centennial?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1256 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Centennial compared to Berkeley?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $649,086 in Centennial vs $1,443,684 in Berkeley β a 55.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Centennial, CO from Berkeley, CA?
The driving distance is 1256 mi and the route typically takes 21h 36m via I 80 and I 25. The trip crosses 5 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 Berkeley.
City profiles: Berkeley, CA Β· Centennial, CO.