Moving from Elk Grove, CA to Centennial, CO
Relocating 1193 mi from Elk Grove to Centennial is a 20h 22m drive through 5 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1193 mi Β· 20h 22m 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, US 287 |
| Major cities en route | Sacramento, Roseville, Reno, Sparks, Salt Lake City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Elk Grove | Centennial | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.67 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 151.29 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 130.23 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing stays roughly flat moving from Elk Grove to Centennial β $637,450 vs $649,086 (2026-03).
YoY change: Elk Grove -3.5%, Centennial -2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Elk Grove | Centennial |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 39Β°F | 19Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 18.1" | 15.0" |
Expect 11.6Β°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SACRAMENTO EXECUTIVE AP, CA US, DENVER CENTENNIAL AP, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Elk Grove | Centennial |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,221 | 107,386 |
| Median household income | $122,229 | $128,167 |
| Median age | 39 | 41.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.4% | 37% |
| Avg household size | 3.24 | 2.59 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Centennial MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 173,910 | $49,000 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 172,890 | $48,280 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 164,250 | $84,370 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 140,150 | $36,010 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 129,510 | $45,350 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Colorado
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Colorado'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 colder climate (11.6Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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 Colorado after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Elk Grove vs Centennial?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $128,167 in Centennial vs $122,229 in Elk Grove β a 4.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Centennial more expensive than Elk Grove?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Centennial is 0.8% lower than Elk Grove (105.782 vs 106.67, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Centennial compared to Elk Grove?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $649,086 in Centennial vs $637,450 in Elk Grove β a 1.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Centennial compare to Elk Grove?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Centennial MSA vs $55,290 in the Elk Grove MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 1,048,170 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Centennial, CO from Elk Grove, CA?
The driving distance is 1193 mi and the route typically takes 20h 22m via I 80 and I 25. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Elk Grove to Centennial?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1193 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Elk Grove.
City profiles: Elk Grove, CA Β· Centennial, CO.