Moving from Ann Arbor, MI to Centennial, CO
It is 1242 mi between Ann Arbor and Centennial β roughly 22h 10m 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.
1242 mi Β· 22h 10m by car Β· MI β IN β IL β IA β NE β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | MI β IN β IL β IA β NE β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 80 EXPRESS, I 94 |
| Major cities en route | Dearborn, South Bend, Chicago, Joliet, Naperville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Ann Arbor | Centennial | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.88 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 98.184 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.711 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.3 | 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: Ann Arbor +3.2%, Centennial -2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Ann Arbor | Centennial |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 48Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 16Β°F | 19Β°F |
| July avg high | 84Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 59.3" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 37.9" | 15.0" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ANN ARBOR SE, MI US, DENVER CENTENNIAL AP, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Ann Arbor | Centennial |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,179 | 107,386 |
| Median household income | $81,089 | $128,167 |
| Median age | 27.7 | 41.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30.5% | 37% |
| Avg household size | 2.43 | 2.59 |
Centennial households earn about 4.9% more than Ann Arbor at the median β $81,089 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 Michigan 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
- Lake-effect snow bands across the western Upper Peninsula can require chains on US-2.
- 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 far is Centennial, CO from Ann Arbor, MI?
The driving distance is 1242 mi and the route typically takes 22h 10m via I 80 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Centennial compare to Ann Arbor?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Centennial MSA vs $49,690 in the Ann Arbor MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 215,300 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Centennial compared to Ann Arbor?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $649,086 in Centennial vs $523,391 in Ann Arbor β a 24.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Ann Arbor to Centennial?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1242 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Ann Arbor vs Centennial?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $128,167 in Centennial vs $81,089 in Ann Arbor β a 58.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Centennial more expensive than Ann Arbor?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Centennial is 4.9% higher than Ann Arbor (105.782 vs 100.88, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Ann Arbor.
City profiles: Ann Arbor, MI Β· Centennial, CO.