Moving from Spokane, WA to Denver, CO
It is 1095 mi between Spokane and Denver β roughly 18h 21m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 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.
1095 mi Β· 18h 21m by car Β· CO β WY β MT β ID β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | CO β WY β MT β ID β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, I 25, US 87 |
| Major cities en route | Aurora, Centennial, Lakewood, Arvada, Westminster |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Spokane | Denver | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.346 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 91.196 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.028 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 97.059 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 5.4% above Spokane β 100.346 β 105.782 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
5.4% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Spokane 0.0%, Denver -4.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Spokane | Denver |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 26Β°F | 18Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 49.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 17.4" | 15.4" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Heavy-snow city: expect 49.0 in of snowfall annually at Denver.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SPOKANE FELTS FLD, WA US, DENVER-STAPLETON, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Spokane | Denver |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 229,228 | 713,734 |
| Median household income | $65,745 | $91,681 |
| Median age | 37.2 | 35.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.5% | 33.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.37 | 2.17 |
Denver households earn about 5.4% more than Spokane at the median β $65,745 β $91,681 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Denver 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 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
- 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.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- Montana interstates can close without notice in winter storms β check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Denver averages 49.0 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Denver average 90Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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
When is the best time to move from Spokane to Denver?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1095 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Denver, CO from Spokane, WA?
The driving distance is 1095 mi and the route typically takes 18h 21m via I 90 and I 25. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Spokane vs Denver?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $91,681 in Denver vs $65,745 in Spokane β a 39.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Denver compare to Spokane?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Denver MSA vs $48,920 in the Spokane MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 255,160 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Denver more expensive than Spokane?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Denver is 5.4% higher than Spokane (105.782 vs 100.346, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Denver compared to Spokane?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $539,666 in Denver vs $395,325 in Spokane β a 36.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Spokane.
City profiles: Spokane, WA Β· Denver, CO.