Moving from Boulder, CO to Cleveland, OH

A move from Boulder, CO to Cleveland, OH covers 1344 mi and around 24h 4m of driving through 6 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.

1344 mi Β· 24h 4m by car Β· OH β†’ IN β†’ IL β†’ IA β†’ NE β†’ CO

COL -10.7% Home values -88.0% Ξ” +0.8Β°F annual

Distance & route

Driving
1344 mi
Drive time
24h 4m
States
6
Fuel (25 mpg)
54 gal
Route throughOH β†’ IN β†’ IL β†’ IA β†’ NE β†’ CO
Primary highwaysI 80, I 80 EXPRESS, I 90
Major cities en routeAkron, Toledo, South Bend, Chicago, Joliet

Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.

Cost of living

BoulderClevelandU.S. avg
All items (RPP)105.20293.923100.0
Rents82.74195.967100.0
Goods96.05293.628100.0
Services157.0279.434100.0

Overall prices in Cleveland are 10.7% below Boulder β€” a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.

Housing prices

Boulder β€” typical home
$964,531
Cleveland β€” typical home
$115,537
Boulder β€” typical rent
$2,475/mo
Cleveland β€” typical rent
$1,388/mo

Housing gap is large: Cleveland typical home at $115,537 is 10.7% under Boulder at $964,531 (Zillow, 2026-03).

YoY change: Boulder -2.0%, Cleveland -1.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.

Climate

1991–2020 normalsBoulderCleveland
Annual avg temperature52Β°F52Β°F
January avg low22Β°F24Β°F
July avg high88Β°F81Β°F
Annual snowfall92.8"β€”
Annual precipitation21.2"33.3"

Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β€” 51.5Β°F vs 52.3Β°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.

Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: BOULDER, CO US, CLEVELAND BURKE AP, OH US).

Demographics

ACS 5-year 2023BoulderCleveland
Population106,274367,523
Median household income$85,364$39,187
Median age28.836.3
Bachelor's degree or higher36.9%12.5%
Avg household size2.422.18

Median household income in Cleveland is 10.7% below Boulder ($85,364 vs $39,187, ACS 5-year 2023).

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.

Jobs & wages

Boulder MSA β€” median wage
$64,750
Cleveland MSA β€” median wage
β€”
Boulder MSA β€” employment
194,440
Cleveland MSA β€” employment
β€”

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.

Moving between Colorado and Ohio

Colorado income tax
4.4% top marginal
Ohio income tax
3.5% top marginal

State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Ohio'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 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

  • 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

When is the best time to move from Boulder to Cleveland?

Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1344 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 Cleveland compared to Boulder?

Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $115,537 in Cleveland vs $964,531 in Boulder β€” a 88.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.

How far is Cleveland, OH from Boulder, CO?

The driving distance is 1344 mi and the route typically takes 24h 4m via I 80 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.

How does household income compare in Boulder vs Cleveland?

Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $39,187 in Cleveland vs $85,364 in Boulder β€” a 54.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.

Is Cleveland more expensive than Boulder?

Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Cleveland is 10.7% lower than Boulder (93.923 vs 105.202, 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 Boulder.

City profiles: Boulder, CO Β· Cleveland, OH.

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