Moving from Seattle, WA to Westminster, CO
It is 1297 mi between Seattle and Westminster — 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.
1297 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 | Westminster | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Seattle and Westminster sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $868,680 in Seattle to $527,654 in Westminster, a 4.8% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Seattle -2.3%, Westminster -3.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Seattle | Westminster |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 52°F |
| January avg low | 37°F | 19°F |
| July avg high | 77°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.8" | 44.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.8" | 14.5" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 53.2°F vs 52.4°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Westminster sees 44.8 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SEATTLE SAND PT WSFO, WA US, NORTHGLENN, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Seattle | Westminster |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 741,440 | 115,546 |
| Median household income | $121,984 | $96,145 |
| Median age | 35.5 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37.6% | 29.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.1 | 2.41 |
Westminster households earn about 4.8% less than Seattle at the median — $121,984 → $96,145 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Westminster 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 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 — Westminster averages 44.8 in annually vs 3.8 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Westminster average 91°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Westminster sees only 14.5 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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 far is Westminster, CO from Seattle, WA?
The driving distance is 1297 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.
Is Westminster more expensive than Seattle?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Westminster is 4.8% lower than Seattle (105.782 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Seattle vs Westminster?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $96,145 in Westminster vs $121,984 in Seattle — a 21.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Westminster compare to Seattle?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Westminster MSA vs $65,260 in the Seattle MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Seattle to Westminster?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1297 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Westminster compared to Seattle?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $527,654 in Westminster vs $868,680 in Seattle — a 39.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Seattle and Westminster?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 52.4°F in Westminster vs 53.2°F in Seattle (0.8°F colder). Annual snowfall: 44.8 in vs 3.8 in. Annual precipitation: 14.5 in vs 37.8 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Seattle.
City profiles: Seattle, WA · Westminster, CO.