Moving from Westminster, CO to Providence, RI
It is 1955 mi and 35h 37m from Westminster to Providence — a cross-country move across 10 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1955 mi · 35h 37m by car · RI → CT → NY → PA → OH → IN → IL → IA → NE → CO
Distance & route
| Route through | RI → CT → NY → PA → OH → IN → IL → IA → NE → CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 80 EXPRESS, I 76 |
| Major cities en route | Brockton, Hartford, Springfield, Waterbury, New Haven |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Westminster | Providence | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 101.773 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 148.809 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 97.116 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 103.851 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 3.8% under Westminster — $527,654 → $426,007 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Westminster -3.3%, Providence +2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Westminster | Providence |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52°F | 52°F |
| January avg low | 19°F | 22°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 44.8" | 36.6" |
| Annual precipitation | 14.5" | 47.5" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Heavy-snow city: expect 36.6 in of snowfall annually at Providence.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: NORTHGLENN, CO US, PROVIDENCE T F GREEN AP, RI US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Westminster | Providence |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,546 | 190,214 |
| Median household income | $96,145 | $66,772 |
| Median age | 37.5 | 32.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.8% | 18.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.41 | 2.71 |
Expect median household income to fall 3.8% — $96,145 → $66,772 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and Rhode Island
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Rhode Island'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
- Lake-effect off Lake Ontario can shut down I-81 and I-90 for hours in winter — check 511NY.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- 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
- Winter gear first: Providence averages 36.6 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- 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 Rhode Island after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Providence, RI from Westminster, CO?
The driving distance is 1955 mi and the route typically takes 35h 37m via I 80 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 10 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Westminster to Providence?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1955 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Westminster and Providence?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 52.1°F in Providence vs 52.4°F in Westminster (0.3°F colder). Annual snowfall: 36.6 in vs 44.8 in. Annual precipitation: 47.5 in vs 14.5 in.
Is Providence more expensive than Westminster?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Providence is 3.8% lower than Westminster (101.773 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Providence compared to Westminster?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $426,007 in Providence vs $527,654 in Westminster — a 19.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Westminster vs Providence?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $66,772 in Providence vs $96,145 in Westminster — a 30.6% lower 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 Westminster.
City profiles: Westminster, CO · Providence, RI.