Moving from Stockton, CA to Centennial, CO
The drive from Stockton, CA to Centennial, CO runs 1228 mi β about 21h 1m 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.
1228 mi Β· 21h 1m by car Β· CA β NV β UT β WY β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β NV β UT β WY β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 80 BUSINESS, I 25 |
| Major cities en route | Modesto, Antioch, Elk Grove, Sacramento, Roseville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Stockton | Centennial | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.089 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.247 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 115.614 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Centennial and Stockton are close on the overall BEA RPP (105.089 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 0.7% above Stockton at $431,328 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Stockton -3.7%, Centennial -2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Stockton | Centennial |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 39Β°F | 19Β°F |
| July avg high | 95Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 17.3" | 15.0" |
Climate cools by 13.7Β°F on the annual average β 63.9Β°F β 50.2Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: STOCKTON FIRE STN 4, CA US, DENVER CENTENNIAL AP, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Stockton | Centennial |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 320,470 | 107,386 |
| Median household income | $76,851 | $128,167 |
| Median age | 33.7 | 41.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 13% | 37% |
| Avg household size | 3.26 | 2.59 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 0.7% between Stockton 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 California 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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter 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 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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (13.7Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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 Centennial, CO from Stockton, CA?
The driving distance is 1228 mi and the route typically takes 21h 1m via I 80 and I 80 BUSINESS. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Stockton to Centennial?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1228 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Centennial compared to Stockton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $649,086 in Centennial vs $431,328 in Stockton β a 50.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Centennial compare to Stockton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Centennial MSA vs $48,370 in the Stockton MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 278,010 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Centennial more expensive than Stockton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Centennial is 0.7% higher than Stockton (105.782 vs 105.089, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Stockton vs Centennial?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $128,167 in Centennial vs $76,851 in Stockton β a 66.8% 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 Stockton.
City profiles: Stockton, CA Β· Centennial, CO.