Moving from Centennial, CO to Sacramento, CA
A move from Centennial, CO to Sacramento, CA covers 1180 mi and around 20h 7m 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.
1180 mi Β· 20h 7m 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 | Elk Grove, Roseville, Reno, Sparks, Salt Lake City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Centennial | Sacramento | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 106.67 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 151.29 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 130.23 | 100.0 |
Sacramento and Centennial are close on the overall BEA RPP (105.782 vs 106.67); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Sacramento typical home at $479,766 is 0.8% under Centennial at $649,086 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Centennial -2.8%, Sacramento -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Centennial | Sacramento |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 63Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 41Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 15.0" | 19.2" |
Sacramento runs 13.2Β°F warmer on the annual average (50.2Β°F vs 63.4Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Sacramento sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DENVER CENTENNIAL AP, CO US, SACRAMENTO 5 ESE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Centennial | Sacramento |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,386 | 524,802 |
| Median household income | $128,167 | $83,753 |
| Median age | 41.8 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37% | 22.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.59 | 2.63 |
Median household income in Sacramento is 0.8% below Centennial ($128,167 vs $83,753, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Sacramento MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 127,580 | $49,240 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 92,040 | $35,560 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 79,450 | $43,790 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 78,260 | $38,490 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 71,860 | $81,700 |
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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Sacramento average 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (13.2Β°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 far is Sacramento, CA from Centennial, CO?
The driving distance is 1180 mi and the route typically takes 20h 7m via I 80 and I 25. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Sacramento more expensive than Centennial?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Sacramento is 0.8% higher than Centennial (106.67 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Sacramento compare to Centennial?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $55,290 in the Sacramento MSA vs $58,490 in the Centennial MSA, on total employment of 1,048,170 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Sacramento compared to Centennial?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $479,766 in Sacramento vs $649,086 in Centennial β a 26.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Centennial to Sacramento?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1180 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Centennial vs Sacramento?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $83,753 in Sacramento vs $128,167 in Centennial β a 34.7% 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· Sacramento, CA.