Moving from Centennial, CO to Denver, CO
It is a short 19 mi hop from Centennial, CO to Denver, CO β roughly 30 min behind the wheel. Even at local distance, household costs and housing values can diverge more than the mileage suggests. Below you will find a direct comparison on BEA cost-of-living, Zillow home values, Census demographics, BLS wages, and NOAA climate.
19 mi Β· 30 min by car Β· CO
Distance & route
| Route through | CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 225, I 25, CO 88 |
| Major cities en route | Thornton, Arvada, Westminster, Boulder, Aurora |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Centennial | Denver | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 0.0% under Centennial β $649,086 β $539,666 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Centennial -2.8%, Denver -4.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Centennial | Denver |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 18Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 49.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 15.0" | 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 1991β2020 (stations: DENVER CENTENNIAL AP, CO US, DENVER-STAPLETON, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Centennial | Denver |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,386 | 713,734 |
| Median household income | $128,167 | $91,681 |
| Median age | 41.8 | 35.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37% | 33.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.59 | 2.17 |
Denver households earn about 0.0% less than Centennial at the median β $128,167 β $91,681 on ACS 2023.
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.
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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Denver averages 49.0 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Denver average 90Β°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.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Denver compared to Centennial?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $539,666 in Denver vs $649,086 in Centennial β a 16.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Centennial to Denver?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 19 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 Denver compare to Centennial?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Denver MSA vs $58,490 in the Centennial MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Centennial vs Denver?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $91,681 in Denver vs $128,167 in Centennial β a 28.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Denver, CO from Centennial, CO?
The driving distance is 19 mi and the route typically takes 30 min via I 225 and I 25. The trip crosses 1 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 Centennial.
City profiles: Centennial, CO Β· Denver, CO.