Moving from Centennial, CO to Jersey City, NJ
It is 1787 mi and 32h 18m from Centennial to Jersey City β a cross-country move across 8 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1787 mi Β· 32h 18m by car Β· NJ β PA β OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | NJ β PA β OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 80 EXPRESS, I 76 |
| Major cities en route | New York, Yonkers, Newark, Elizabeth, Paterson |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Centennial | Jersey City | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 6.4% higher cost of living β rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
No meaningful housing gap at the typical-home level: ZHVI $649,086 vs $658,269.
YoY change: Centennial -2.8%, Jersey City -0.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Centennial | Jersey City |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 55Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 25Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 28.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 15.0" | 50.4" |
Annual average temperatures in Centennial (50.2Β°F) and Jersey City (54.8Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Jersey City averages 28.2 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DENVER CENTENNIAL AP, CO US, HARRISON, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Centennial | Jersey City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,386 | 289,691 |
| Median household income | $128,167 | $94,813 |
| Median age | 41.8 | 34.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37% | 29.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.59 | 2.35 |
Expect median household income to fall 6.4% β $128,167 β $94,813 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Jersey City MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 1,165,200 | $50,760 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 806,590 | $46,160 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 755,900 | $44,800 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 755,280 | $37,670 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 725,930 | $100,940 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and New Jersey
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check New Jersey'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
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- 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: Jersey City averages 28.2 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Pack rain gear on top: Jersey City averages 50.4 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- 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 New Jersey after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Centennial vs Jersey City?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $94,813 in Jersey City vs $128,167 in Centennial β a 26.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Jersey City compared to Centennial?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $658,269 in Jersey City vs $649,086 in Centennial β a 1.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Jersey City more expensive than Centennial?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Jersey City is 6.4% higher than Centennial (112.563 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Jersey City, NJ from Centennial, CO?
The driving distance is 1787 mi and the route typically takes 32h 18m via I 80 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Centennial to Jersey City?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1787 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 Jersey City compare to Centennial?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Jersey City MSA vs $58,490 in the Centennial MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 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· Jersey City, NJ.