Moving from Boulder, CO to Centennial, CO
Moving from Boulder, CO to Centennial, CO is a 43 mi drive, about 58 min by car. This is a local relocation β same-day moves are typical β but cost-of-living, housing, and tax lines still shift enough to plan around. The sections below pull current figures from BEA, the Census Bureau, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA for a side-by-side look.
43 mi Β· 58 min by car Β· CO
Distance & route
| Route through | CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CO 88, I 25, US 36 |
| Major cities en route | Aurora, Lakewood, Denver, Thornton, Arvada |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Boulder | Centennial | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.202 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.741 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.052 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 157.02 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Centennial and Boulder is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Centennial is 0.6% below Boulder β $964,531 vs $649,086 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Boulder -2.0%, Centennial -2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Boulder | Centennial |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 19Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 92.8" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 21.2" | 15.0" |
Annual average temperatures in Boulder (51.5Β°F) and Centennial (50.2Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: BOULDER, CO US, DENVER CENTENNIAL AP, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Boulder | Centennial |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,274 | 107,386 |
| Median household income | $85,364 | $128,167 |
| Median age | 28.8 | 41.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 36.9% | 37% |
| Avg household size | 2.42 | 2.59 |
Median household income in Centennial is 0.6% above Boulder ($85,364 vs $128,167, ACS 5-year 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.
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
Is Centennial more expensive than Boulder?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Centennial is 0.6% higher than Boulder (105.782 vs 105.202, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Centennial, CO from Boulder, CO?
The driving distance is 43 mi and the route typically takes 58 min via CO 88 and I 25. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Boulder to Centennial?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 43 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Boulder vs Centennial?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $128,167 in Centennial vs $85,364 in Boulder β a 50.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Centennial compare to Boulder?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Centennial MSA vs $64,750 in the Boulder MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 194,440 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Centennial compared to Boulder?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $649,086 in Centennial vs $964,531 in Boulder β a 32.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Boulder.
City profiles: Boulder, CO Β· Centennial, CO.