Moving from Centennial, CO to Sparks, NV
It is 1048 mi between Centennial and Sparks β roughly 17h 39m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 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.
1048 mi Β· 17h 39m by car Β· NV β UT β WY β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | NV β UT β WY β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 25, US 287 |
| Major cities en route | Reno, West Valley City, Salt Lake City, West Jordan, Fort Collins |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Centennial | Sparks | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 101.014 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 89.274 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 96.271 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 123.478 | 100.0 |
Centennial and Sparks 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
Homes in Sparks run about 4.5% cheaper β ZHVI $649,086 β $529,283 (2026-03).
YoY change: Centennial -2.8%, Sparks -0.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Centennial | Sparks |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 54Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 25Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 6.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 15.0" | 8.4" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 50.2Β°F vs 53.5Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Expect 6.8 in of snow annually at the destination β manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DENVER CENTENNIAL AP, CO US, SPARKS, NV US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Centennial | Sparks |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,386 | 109,106 |
| Median household income | $128,167 | $86,979 |
| Median age | 41.8 | 36.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37% | 16.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.59 | 2.64 |
Sparks households earn about 4.5% less than Centennial at the median β $128,167 β $86,979 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Sparks MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 30,990 | $45,200 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 30,330 | $42,130 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 23,210 | $30,270 |
| Management Occupations | 21,700 | $97,370 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 19,500 | $36,430 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and Nevada
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Nevada'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
- 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 Sparks average 92Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Sparks sees only 8.4 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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 Nevada after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Sparks, NV from Centennial, CO?
The driving distance is 1048 mi and the route typically takes 17h 39m via I 80 and I 25. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Centennial to Sparks?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1048 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 Sparks?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $86,979 in Sparks vs $128,167 in Centennial β a 32.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Sparks more expensive than Centennial?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Sparks is 4.5% lower than Centennial (101.014 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Sparks compare to Centennial?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,540 in the Sparks MSA vs $58,490 in the Centennial MSA, on total employment of 254,100 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Sparks compared to Centennial?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $529,283 in Sparks vs $649,086 in Centennial β a 18.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Centennial.
City profiles: Centennial, CO Β· Sparks, NV.