Moving from Centennial, CO to West Palm Beach, FL
A 1985 mi cross-country move between Centennial and West Palm Beach is 36h 5m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 8 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1985 mi Β· 36h 5m by car Β· FL β GA β TN β KY β IL β MO β KS β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | FL β GA β TN β KY β IL β MO β KS β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 75, US 40 |
| Major cities en route | Port St Lucie, Palm Bay, Orlando, Gainesville, South Fulton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Centennial | West Palm Beach | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 114.155 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 97.235 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 103.556 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 155.551 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 7.9% above Centennial β 105.782 β 114.155 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
7.9% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Centennial -2.8%, West Palm Beach -3.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Centennial | West Palm Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 76Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 58Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 15.0" | 61.7" |
Annual average temperature gap of 25.6Β°F β a meaningful climate change across the move.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DENVER CENTENNIAL AP, CO US, WEST PALM BEACH INTL AP, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Centennial | West Palm Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,386 | 119,508 |
| Median household income | $128,167 | $69,261 |
| Median age | 41.8 | 40.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37% | 23.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.59 | 2.37 |
West Palm Beach households earn about 7.9% less than Centennial at the median β $128,167 β $69,261 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in West Palm Beach MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 393,730 | $41,640 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 306,440 | $37,640 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 261,940 | $30,720 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 239,610 | $37,610 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 194,910 | $77,760 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and Florida
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Florida'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-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements in 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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in West Palm Beach average 90Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: West Palm Beach averages 61.7 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (25.6Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Hurricane season runs June through November β stock a basic emergency kit (water, flashlight, battery radio) 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 Florida after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is West Palm Beach, FL from Centennial, CO?
The driving distance is 1985 mi and the route typically takes 36h 5m via I 70 and I 75. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in West Palm Beach compared to Centennial?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $399,471 in West Palm Beach vs $649,086 in Centennial β a 38.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in West Palm Beach compare to Centennial?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,510 in the West Palm Beach MSA vs $58,490 in the Centennial MSA, on total employment of 2,721,490 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is West Palm Beach more expensive than Centennial?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in West Palm Beach is 7.9% higher than Centennial (114.155 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Centennial to West Palm Beach?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1985 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 West Palm Beach?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $69,261 in West Palm Beach vs $128,167 in Centennial β a 46.0% 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· West Palm Beach, FL.