Moving from Centennial, CO to Berkeley, CA
A move from Centennial, CO to Berkeley, CA 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
| Centennial | Berkeley | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 9.3% pricier overall in Berkeley than Centennial on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Berkeley typical home at $1,443,684 is 9.3% above Centennial at $649,086 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Centennial -2.8%, Berkeley -1.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Centennial | Berkeley |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 59Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 74Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 15.0" | 26.1" |
Berkeley runs 8.3Β°F warmer on the annual average (50.2Β°F vs 58.5Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Berkeley sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DENVER CENTENNIAL AP, CO US, BERKELEY, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Centennial | Berkeley |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,386 | 120,223 |
| Median household income | $128,167 | $108,558 |
| Median age | 41.8 | 32.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37% | 33.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.59 | 2.57 |
Median household income in Berkeley is 9.3% below Centennial ($128,167 β $108,558, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Berkeley MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 244,380 | $59,630 |
| Management Occupations | 237,070 | $171,350 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 211,250 | $104,950 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 194,040 | $39,200 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 183,930 | $49,390 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Berkeley, CA from Centennial, CO?
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.
When is the best time to move from Centennial to Berkeley?
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 does the job market in Berkeley compare to Centennial?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Berkeley MSA vs $58,490 in the Centennial MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Berkeley compared to Centennial?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,443,684 in Berkeley vs $649,086 in Centennial β a 122.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Centennial vs Berkeley?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $108,558 in Berkeley vs $128,167 in Centennial β a 15.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Berkeley more expensive than Centennial?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Berkeley is 9.3% higher than Centennial (115.613 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Centennial.
City profiles: Centennial, CO Β· Berkeley, CA.