Moving from Centennial, CO to Allen, TX
Relocating 780 mi from Centennial to Allen is a 14h 10m drive through 3 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
780 mi Β· 14h 10m by car Β· TX β NM β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β NM β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 287, I 25, US 87 |
| Major cities en route | Garland, Mesquite, Richardson, Mckinney, Plano |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Centennial | Allen | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Centennial and Allen sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $649,086 in Centennial to $493,532 in Allen, a 2.5% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Centennial -2.8%, Allen -6.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Centennial | Allen |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 34Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 15.0" | 38.3" |
Expect 14.8Β°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DENVER CENTENNIAL AP, CO US, MCKINNEY MUNI AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Centennial | Allen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,386 | 107,684 |
| Median household income | $128,167 | $129,130 |
| Median age | 41.8 | 38.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37% | 33.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.59 | 2.97 |
Household income lines up β $128,167 vs $129,130 on ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Allen MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- 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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Allen average 95Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (14.8Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Allen, TX from Centennial, CO?
The driving distance is 780 mi and the route typically takes 14h 10m via US 287 and I 25. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Allen more expensive than Centennial?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Allen is 2.5% lower than Centennial (103.09 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Allen compared to Centennial?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $493,532 in Allen vs $649,086 in Centennial β a 24.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Centennial to Allen?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 780 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Allen compare to Centennial?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Allen MSA vs $58,490 in the Centennial MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Centennial vs Allen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $129,130 in Allen vs $128,167 in Centennial β a 0.8% 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 Centennial.
City profiles: Centennial, CO Β· Allen, TX.