Moving from Centennial, CO to Burbank, CA
The drive from Centennial, CO to Burbank, CA runs 1031 mi β about 18h 6m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
1031 mi Β· 18h 6m by car Β· CO β UT β AZ β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CO β UT β AZ β NV β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 15, I 15 ALT |
| Major cities en route | Aurora, Denver, Thornton, Westminster, Lakewood |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Centennial | Burbank | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 7.4% pricier overall in Burbank than Centennial on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Burbank typical home at $1,200,885 is 7.4% above Centennial at $649,086 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Centennial -2.8%, Burbank -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Centennial | Burbank |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 86Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 15.0" | 16.5" |
Climate warms by 14.3Β°F on the annual average β 50.2Β°F β 64.5Β°F.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Burbank sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DENVER CENTENNIAL AP, CO US, BURBANK VALLEY PUMP PLT, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Centennial | Burbank |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,386 | 105,165 |
| Median household income | $128,167 | $95,816 |
| Median age | 41.8 | 39.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37% | 31% |
| Avg household size | 2.59 | 2.44 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 7.4% between Centennial and Burbank (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Burbank MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
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
- 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.
- 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-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (14.3Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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 does the job market in Burbank compare to Centennial?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Burbank MSA vs $58,490 in the Centennial MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Centennial to Burbank?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1031 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Burbank more expensive than Centennial?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Burbank is 7.4% higher than Centennial (113.566 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Burbank, CA from Centennial, CO?
The driving distance is 1031 mi and the route typically takes 18h 6m 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 Burbank compared to Centennial?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,200,885 in Burbank vs $649,086 in Centennial β a 85.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Centennial vs Burbank?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $95,816 in Burbank vs $128,167 in Centennial β a 25.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Centennial.
City profiles: Centennial, CO Β· Burbank, CA.