Moving from Salt Lake City, UT to Centennial, CO
The drive from Salt Lake City, UT to Centennial, CO runs 536 mi β about 9h 18m 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.
536 mi Β· 9h 18m by car Β· UT β WY β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | UT β WY β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 25, US 287 |
| Major cities en route | West Valley City, West Jordan, Fort Collins, Greeley, Boulder |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Salt Lake City | Centennial | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.868 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 79 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.446 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 123.311 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Centennial and Salt Lake City are close on the overall BEA RPP (100.868 vs 105.782); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow typical home value is 4.9% higher in Centennial than Salt Lake City as of 2026-03.
YoY change: Salt Lake City +1.6%, Centennial -2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Salt Lake City | Centennial |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 28Β°F | 19Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 49.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 17.7" | 15.0" |
Climate cools by 5.6Β°F on the annual average β 55.8Β°F β 50.2Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SALT LAKE TRIAD CTR, UT US, DENVER CENTENNIAL AP, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Salt Lake City | Centennial |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 203,888 | 107,386 |
| Median household income | $74,925 | $128,167 |
| Median age | 33 | 41.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.9% | 37% |
| Avg household size | 2.29 | 2.59 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 4.9% between Salt Lake City 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 Utah 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
- 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
When is the best time to move from Salt Lake City to Centennial?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 536 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Centennial compare to Salt Lake City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Centennial MSA vs $49,440 in the Salt Lake City MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 803,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Centennial, CO from Salt Lake City, UT?
The driving distance is 536 mi and the route typically takes 9h 18m via I 80 and I 25. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Centennial more expensive than Salt Lake City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Centennial is 4.9% higher than Salt Lake City (105.782 vs 100.868, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Centennial compared to Salt Lake City?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $649,086 in Centennial vs $573,181 in Salt Lake City β a 13.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Salt Lake City vs Centennial?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $128,167 in Centennial vs $74,925 in Salt Lake City β a 71.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Salt Lake City.
City profiles: Salt Lake City, UT Β· Centennial, CO.