Moving from Centennial, CO to Ann Arbor, MI
It is 1242 mi between Centennial and Ann Arbor 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
| Centennial | Ann Arbor | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 100.88 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 98.184 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 93.711 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 125.3 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 105.782 vs 100.88 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect around 4.6% lower home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Centennial -2.8%, Ann Arbor +3.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Centennial | Ann Arbor |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 48Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 16Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 84Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 59.3" |
| Annual precipitation | 15.0" | 37.9" |
Annual average temperatures in Centennial (50.2Β°F) and Ann Arbor (48.2Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Ann Arbor averages 59.3 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DENVER CENTENNIAL AP, CO US, ANN ARBOR SE, MI US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Centennial | Ann Arbor |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,386 | 121,179 |
| Median household income | $128,167 | $81,089 |
| Median age | 41.8 | 27.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37% | 30.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.59 | 2.43 |
Ann Arbor households earn about 4.6% less than Centennial at the median β $128,167 β $81,089 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Ann Arbor MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 29,010 | $50,890 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 25,400 | $81,710 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 24,670 | $42,280 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 15,280 | $32,120 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 13,740 | $36,520 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and Michigan
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Michigan'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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Ann Arbor averages 59.3 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β 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 Michigan after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Centennial to Ann Arbor?
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 far is Ann Arbor, MI from Centennial, CO?
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 Ann Arbor compare to Centennial?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,690 in the Ann Arbor MSA vs $58,490 in the Centennial MSA, on total employment of 215,300 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 Ann Arbor?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $81,089 in Ann Arbor vs $128,167 in Centennial β a 36.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Ann Arbor compared to Centennial?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $523,391 in Ann Arbor vs $649,086 in Centennial β a 19.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Ann Arbor more expensive than Centennial?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Ann Arbor is 4.6% lower than Centennial (100.88 vs 105.782, 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 Centennial.
City profiles: Centennial, CO Β· Ann Arbor, MI.