Moving from Centennial, CO to Detroit, MI
A move from Centennial, CO to Detroit, MI covers 1278 mi and around 22h 49m of driving through 6 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.
1278 mi Β· 22h 49m by car Β· MI β IN β IL β IA β NE β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | MI β IN β IL β IA β NE β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 80 EXPRESS, I 94 |
| Major cities en route | Warren, Sterling Heights, Dearborn, Ann Arbor, South Bend |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Centennial | Detroit | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 100.298 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 106.988 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 98.817 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 94.69 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Detroit are 5.2% below Centennial β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Detroit typical home at $75,358 is 5.2% under Centennial at $649,086 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Centennial -2.8%, Detroit -3.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Centennial | Detroit |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 19Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 84Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 15.0" | 34.9" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 50.2Β°F vs 50.3Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DENVER CENTENNIAL AP, CO US, DEARBORN #2, MI US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Centennial | Detroit |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,386 | 636,644 |
| Median household income | $128,167 | $39,575 |
| Median age | 41.8 | 35.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37% | 10.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.59 | 2.51 |
Median household income in Detroit is 5.2% below Centennial ($128,167 vs $39,575, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Detroit MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 224,810 | $45,600 |
| Production Occupations | 186,670 | $44,740 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 165,670 | $40,090 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 160,290 | $36,830 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 153,090 | $30,480 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and Michigan
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Michigan'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
- Lake-effect snow bands across the western Upper Peninsula can require chains on US-2.
- 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
How far is Detroit, MI from Centennial, CO?
The driving distance is 1278 mi and the route typically takes 22h 49m via I 80 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Detroit compared to Centennial?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $75,358 in Detroit vs $649,086 in Centennial β a 88.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Detroit more expensive than Centennial?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Detroit is 5.2% lower than Centennial (100.298 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Centennial vs Detroit?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $39,575 in Detroit vs $128,167 in Centennial β a 69.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Centennial to Detroit?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1278 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 Detroit compare to Centennial?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,950 in the Detroit MSA vs $58,490 in the Centennial MSA, on total employment of 1,900,180 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Centennial.
City profiles: Centennial, CO Β· Detroit, MI.