Moving from West Valley City, UT to Centennial, CO
It is 539 mi between West Valley City and Centennial β roughly 9h 24m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 3 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.
539 mi Β· 9h 24m 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 Jordan, Salt Lake City, Fort Collins, Greeley, Boulder |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| West Valley 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 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
4.9% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: West Valley City +1.3%, Centennial -2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | West Valley City | Centennial |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 24Β°F | 19Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 51.9" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 15.5" | 15.0" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SALT LAKE CITY INTL AP, UT US, DENVER CENTENNIAL AP, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | West Valley City | Centennial |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 137,955 | 107,386 |
| Median household income | $88,604 | $128,167 |
| Median age | 30.3 | 41.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12% | 37% |
| Avg household size | 3.55 | 2.59 |
Centennial households earn about 4.9% more than West Valley City at the median β $88,604 β $128,167 on 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
How does the job market in Centennial compare to West Valley City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Centennial MSA vs $49,440 in the West Valley 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 West Valley City, UT?
The driving distance is 539 mi and the route typically takes 9h 24m via I 80 and I 25. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from West Valley 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 539 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 West Valley City?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $649,086 in Centennial vs $471,862 in West Valley City β a 37.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Centennial more expensive than West Valley City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Centennial is 4.9% higher than West Valley City (105.782 vs 100.868, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in West Valley City vs Centennial?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $128,167 in Centennial vs $88,604 in West Valley City β a 44.7% 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 West Valley City.
City profiles: West Valley City, UT Β· Centennial, CO.