Moving from Denver, CO to Worcester, MA
Cross-country relocations like Denver, CO → Worcester, MA cover 1941 mi and about 35h 21m of driving through 10 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1941 mi · 35h 21m by car · CO → NE → IA → IL → IN → OH → PA → NY → CT → MA
Distance & route
| Route through | CO → NE → IA → IL → IN → OH → PA → NY → CT → MA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 90, I 84 |
| Major cities en route | Aurora, Centennial, Lakewood, Thornton, Arvada |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Denver | Worcester | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 102.523 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 155.206 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 97.015 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 113.001 | 100.0 |
Worcester and Denver are close on the overall BEA RPP (105.782 vs 102.523); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Worcester typical home at $430,112 is 3.1% under Denver at $539,666 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Denver -4.3%, Worcester +1.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Denver | Worcester |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51°F | 48°F |
| January avg low | 18°F | 17°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 80°F |
| Annual snowfall | 49.0" | 72.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 15.4" | 48.3" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 51.4°F vs 48.1°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Worcester sees 72.9 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: DENVER-STAPLETON, CO US, WORCESTER RGNL AP, MA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Denver | Worcester |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 713,734 | 205,501 |
| Median household income | $91,681 | $67,544 |
| Median age | 35.2 | 34.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.8% | 20.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.17 | 2.6 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 3.1% between Denver and Worcester (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and Massachusetts
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Massachusetts'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.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- Lake-effect off Lake Ontario can shut down I-81 and I-90 for hours in winter — check 511NY.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Worcester averages 72.9 in annually vs 49.0 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- 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 Massachusetts after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Denver to Worcester?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1941 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Denver vs Worcester?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,544 in Worcester vs $91,681 in Denver — a 26.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Denver and Worcester?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 48.1°F in Worcester vs 51.4°F in Denver (3.3°F colder). Annual snowfall: 72.9 in vs 49.0 in. Annual precipitation: 48.3 in vs 15.4 in.
How far is Worcester, MA from Denver, CO?
The driving distance is 1941 mi and the route typically takes 35h 21m via I 80 and I 90. The trip crosses 10 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Worcester more expensive than Denver?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Worcester is 3.1% lower than Denver (102.523 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Worcester compared to Denver?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $430,112 in Worcester vs $539,666 in Denver — a 20.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Denver.
City profiles: Denver, CO · Worcester, MA.