Moving from Denver, CO to El Paso, TX
Relocating 632 mi from Denver to El Paso is a 12h 17m drive through 3 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
632 mi · 12h 17m by car · CO → NM → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | CO → NM → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 25, US 54, US 84 |
| Major cities en route | Thornton, Arvada, Westminster, Boulder, Aurora |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Denver | El Paso | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 89.912 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 82.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 71.248 | 100.0 |
Expect about 15.0% lower overall cost of living — BEA RPP 2024 has El Paso at 89.912 vs Denver at 105.782.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 15.0% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $539,666 to $234,775 moving to El Paso.
YoY change: Denver -4.3%, El Paso +1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Denver | El Paso |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 18°F | 35°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 96°F |
| Annual snowfall | 49.0" | 2.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 15.4" | 8.8" |
Expect 14.8°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
El Paso averages 2.8 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: DENVER-STAPLETON, CO US, EL PASO INTL AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Denver | El Paso |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 713,734 | 678,147 |
| Median household income | $91,681 | $58,734 |
| Median age | 35.2 | 34.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.8% | 18.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.17 | 2.8 |
Expect median household income to fall 15.0% — $91,681 → $58,734 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in El Paso MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 44,500 | $35,550 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 34,790 | $23,150 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 32,160 | $33,850 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 31,050 | $28,800 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 23,040 | $61,670 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April — check CDOT alerts before departure.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in El Paso average 96°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: El Paso sees only 8.8 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (14.8°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in El Paso compared to Denver?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $234,775 in El Paso vs $539,666 in Denver — a 56.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Denver vs El Paso?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,734 in El Paso vs $91,681 in Denver — a 35.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Denver and El Paso?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.2°F in El Paso vs 51.4°F in Denver (14.8°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 2.8 in vs 49.0 in. Annual precipitation: 8.8 in vs 15.4 in.
Is El Paso more expensive than Denver?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in El Paso is 15.0% lower than Denver (89.912 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Denver to El Paso?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 632 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in El Paso compare to Denver?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $36,000 in the El Paso MSA vs $58,490 in the Denver MSA, on total employment of 323,310 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is El Paso, TX from Denver, CO?
The driving distance is 632 mi and the route typically takes 12h 17m via I 25 and US 54. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Denver.
City profiles: Denver, CO · El Paso, TX.