Moving from Fremont, CA to Centennial, CO
The drive from Fremont, CA to Centennial, CO runs 1286 mi β about 22h 14m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
1286 mi Β· 22h 14m 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, I 680 |
| Major cities en route | San Jose, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, San Mateo, Hayward |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fremont | Centennial | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Centennial are 8.5% below Fremont β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Centennial typical home at $649,086 is 8.5% under Fremont at $1,543,132 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Fremont -4.0%, Centennial -2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fremont | Centennial |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 19Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 14.4" | 15.0" |
Climate cools by 9.7Β°F on the annual average β 59.9Β°F β 50.2Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: NEWARK, CA US, DENVER CENTENNIAL AP, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fremont | Centennial |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 228,518 | 107,386 |
| Median household income | $176,350 | $128,167 |
| Median age | 38.8 | 41.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 32.5% | 37% |
| Avg household size | 2.97 | 2.59 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 8.5% between Fremont and Centennial (ACS 2023).
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.
Frequently asked
Is Centennial more expensive than Fremont?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Centennial is 8.5% lower than Fremont (105.782 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Centennial, CO from Fremont, CA?
The driving distance is 1286 mi and the route typically takes 22h 14m 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 Fremont to Centennial?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1286 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 Fremont vs Centennial?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $128,167 in Centennial vs $176,350 in Fremont β a 27.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Centennial compare to Fremont?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Centennial MSA vs $72,050 in the Fremont MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Centennial compared to Fremont?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $649,086 in Centennial vs $1,543,132 in Fremont β a 57.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fremont.
City profiles: Fremont, CA Β· Centennial, CO.