Moving from Boston, MA to Denver, CO
A 1980 mi cross-country move between Boston and Denver is 36h 8m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 10 states. Nearly every household line — rent, taxes, climate, commute — usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1980 mi · 36h 8m by car · CO → NE → IA → IL → IN → OH → PA → NY → CT → MA
Distance & route
| Route through | CO → NE → IA → IL → IN → OH → PA → NY → CT → MA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 90, I 84 |
| Major cities en route | Aurora, Centennial, Lakewood, Thornton, Arvada |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Boston | Denver | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.266 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.768 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 99.651 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.424 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
2.3% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Boston -0.4%, Denver -4.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Boston | Denver |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52°F | 51°F |
| January avg low | 23°F | 18°F |
| July avg high | 82°F | 90°F |
| Annual snowfall | 49.2" | 49.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 43.6" | 15.4" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Heavy-snow city: expect 49.0 in of snowfall annually at Denver.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: BOSTON LOGAN INTL AP, MA US, DENVER-STAPLETON, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Boston | Denver |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 663,972 | 713,734 |
| Median household income | $94,755 | $91,681 |
| Median age | 33.2 | 35.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.5% | 33.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.38 | 2.17 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Denver 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 Massachusetts 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 — 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.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- Lake-effect off Lake Ontario can shut down I-81 and I-90 for hours in winter — check 511NY.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Denver averages 49.0 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Denver average 90°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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
What is the climate difference between Boston and Denver?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 51.4°F in Denver vs 51.9°F in Boston (0.5°F colder). Annual snowfall: 49.0 in vs 49.2 in. Annual precipitation: 15.4 in vs 43.6 in.
Is Denver more expensive than Boston?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Denver is 2.3% lower than Boston (105.782 vs 108.266, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Boston vs Denver?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $91,681 in Denver vs $94,755 in Boston — a 3.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Boston to Denver?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1980 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Denver compared to Boston?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $539,666 in Denver vs $798,217 in Boston — a 32.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Denver, CO from Boston, MA?
The driving distance is 1980 mi and the route typically takes 36h 8m via I 80 and I 90. The trip crosses 10 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 Boston.
City profiles: Boston, MA · Denver, CO.