Moving from Centennial, CO to San Jose, CA
It is 1301 mi between Centennial and San Jose β roughly 22h 28m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1301 mi Β· 22h 28m 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, I 680 |
| Major cities en route | Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, Fremont, Hayward, San Mateo |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Centennial | San Jose | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 110.423 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 156.659 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 211.901 | 100.0 |
Centennial and San Jose sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $649,086 in Centennial to $1,463,614 in San Jose, a 4.4% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Centennial -2.8%, San Jose -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Centennial | San Jose |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 82Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 15.0" | 16.1" |
Annual temperature rises 11.3Β°F moving to San Jose per NOAA normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: San Jose sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DENVER CENTENNIAL AP, CO US, SAN JOSE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Centennial | San Jose |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,386 | 990,054 |
| Median household income | $128,167 | $141,565 |
| Median age | 41.8 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37% | 26.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.59 | 3.03 |
Households in San Jose earn about 4.4% more at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in San Jose MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Mathematical Occupations | 161,790 | $175,110 |
| Management Occupations | 119,300 | $206,650 |
| Software Developers | 96,590 | $199,100 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 93,740 | $59,850 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 90,500 | $120,970 |
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
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (11.3Β°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
When is the best time to move from Centennial to San Jose?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1301 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is San Jose more expensive than Centennial?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in San Jose is 4.4% higher than Centennial (110.423 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in San Jose compared to Centennial?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,463,614 in San Jose vs $649,086 in Centennial β a 125.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Centennial vs San Jose?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $141,565 in San Jose vs $128,167 in Centennial β a 10.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is San Jose, CA from Centennial, CO?
The driving distance is 1301 mi and the route typically takes 22h 28m via I 80 and I 25. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in San Jose compare to Centennial?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $81,470 in the San Jose MSA vs $58,490 in the Centennial MSA, on total employment of 1,141,820 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· San Jose, CA.