Moving from Lowell, MA to Centennial, CO
Cross-country relocations like Lowell, MA β Centennial, CO cover 1995 mi and about 36h 25m 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.
1995 mi Β· 36h 25m by car Β· MA β CT β NY β PA β OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | MA β CT β NY β PA β OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 80 EXPRESS, I 84 |
| Major cities en route | Boston, Cambridge, Manchester, Worcester, Springfield |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lowell | Centennial | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.266 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.768 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 99.651 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.424 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Centennial and Lowell are close on the overall BEA RPP (108.266 vs 105.782); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Centennial typical home at $649,086 is 2.3% above Lowell at $480,319 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Lowell +0.4%, Centennial -2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lowell | Centennial |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 49Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 16Β°F | 19Β°F |
| July avg high | 85Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 48.5" | 15.0" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 49.0Β°F vs 50.2Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LOWELL, MA US, DENVER CENTENNIAL AP, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lowell | Centennial |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,799 | 107,386 |
| Median household income | $76,205 | $128,167 |
| Median age | 35.5 | 41.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18% | 37% |
| Avg household size | 2.71 | 2.59 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 2.3% between Lowell 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 Massachusetts 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
- Lake-effect off Lake Ontario can shut down I-81 and I-90 for hours in winter β check 511NY.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy 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.
Frequently asked
How far is Centennial, CO from Lowell, MA?
The driving distance is 1995 mi and the route typically takes 36h 25m via I 80 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 10 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Lowell to Centennial?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1995 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Centennial more expensive than Lowell?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Centennial is 2.3% lower than Lowell (105.782 vs 108.266, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Lowell vs Centennial?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $128,167 in Centennial vs $76,205 in Lowell β a 68.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Centennial compared to Lowell?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $649,086 in Centennial vs $480,319 in Lowell β a 35.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Lowell.
City profiles: Lowell, MA Β· Centennial, CO.