Moving from Seattle, WA to Boulder, CO
It is 1293 mi between Seattle and Boulder — roughly 22h 30m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 6 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1293 mi · 22h 30m by car · WA → OR → ID → UT → WY → CO
Distance & route
| Route through | WA → OR → ID → UT → WY → CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 84, US 30, I 80 |
| Major cities en route | Everett, Tacoma, Bellevue, Kent, Renton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Seattle | Boulder | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 105.202 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 82.741 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 96.052 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 157.02 | 100.0 |
Expect about 5.3% lower overall cost of living — BEA RPP 2024 has Boulder at 105.202 vs Seattle at 111.133.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 5.3% higher home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Seattle -2.3%, Boulder -2.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Seattle | Boulder |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 52°F |
| January avg low | 37°F | 22°F |
| July avg high | 77°F | 88°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.8" | 92.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.8" | 21.2" |
Annual average temperatures in Seattle (53.2°F) and Boulder (51.5°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Boulder averages 92.8 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SEATTLE SAND PT WSFO, WA US, BOULDER, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Seattle | Boulder |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 741,440 | 106,274 |
| Median household income | $121,984 | $85,364 |
| Median age | 35.5 | 28.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37.6% | 36.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.1 | 2.42 |
Boulder households earn about 5.3% less than Seattle at the median — $121,984 → $85,364 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Boulder MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 19,760 | $91,230 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 19,640 | $47,560 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 19,360 | $50,060 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 17,660 | $37,440 |
| Computer and Mathematical Occupations | 17,320 | $131,150 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Washington 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 — 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
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March — check WSDOT mountain passes report.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during 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 — 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 — 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 much snowier climate — Boulder averages 92.8 in annually vs 3.8 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 Colorado after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
What is the climate difference between Seattle and Boulder?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 51.5°F in Boulder vs 53.2°F in Seattle (1.7°F colder). Annual snowfall: 92.8 in vs 3.8 in. Annual precipitation: 21.2 in vs 37.8 in.
How much do homes cost in Boulder compared to Seattle?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $964,531 in Boulder vs $868,680 in Seattle — a 11.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Seattle to Boulder?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1293 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Seattle vs Boulder?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $85,364 in Boulder vs $121,984 in Seattle — a 30.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Boulder compare to Seattle?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $64,750 in the Boulder MSA vs $65,260 in the Seattle MSA, on total employment of 194,440 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Boulder more expensive than Seattle?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Boulder is 5.3% lower than Seattle (105.202 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Boulder, CO from Seattle, WA?
The driving distance is 1293 mi and the route typically takes 22h 30m via I 84 and US 30. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Seattle.
City profiles: Seattle, WA · Boulder, CO.