Moving from Centennial, CO to Chattanooga, TN
A move from Centennial, CO to Chattanooga, TN covers 1282 mi and around 23h 17m 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.
1282 mi Β· 23h 17m by car Β· TN β KY β IL β MO β KS β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | TN β KY β IL β MO β KS β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, US 40, I 24 |
| Major cities en route | Murfreesboro, Clarksville, St Louis, Columbia, Independence |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Centennial | Chattanooga | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 91.464 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 74.209 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 95.994 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 76.55 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 105.782 to 91.464, putting Chattanooga roughly 13.5% below Centennial on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Chattanooga: 13.5% below Centennial on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Centennial -2.8%, Chattanooga -0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Centennial | Chattanooga |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 32Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 3.6" |
| Annual precipitation | 15.0" | 55.0" |
Chattanooga runs 11.7Β°F warmer on the annual average (50.2Β°F vs 61.9Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Light snow year: Chattanooga gets around 3.6 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DENVER CENTENNIAL AP, CO US, CHATTANOOGA LOVELL AP, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Centennial | Chattanooga |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,386 | 182,832 |
| Median household income | $128,167 | $61,028 |
| Median age | 41.8 | 36.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.59 | 2.35 |
Median household income in Chattanooga is 13.5% below Centennial ($128,167 vs $61,028, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Chattanooga MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 34,970 | $39,520 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 27,430 | $36,320 |
| Production Occupations | 26,510 | $43,150 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 24,780 | $27,910 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 22,460 | $31,750 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and Tennessee
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Tennessee'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
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements 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 Chattanooga average 91Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Chattanooga averages 55.0 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (11.7Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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 Tennessee after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Chattanooga compare to Centennial?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,150 in the Chattanooga MSA vs $58,490 in the Centennial MSA, on total employment of 261,750 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Centennial to Chattanooga?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1282 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Chattanooga, TN from Centennial, CO?
The driving distance is 1282 mi and the route typically takes 23h 17m via I 70 and US 40. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Centennial vs Chattanooga?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $61,028 in Chattanooga vs $128,167 in Centennial β a 52.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Chattanooga compared to Centennial?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $319,579 in Chattanooga vs $649,086 in Centennial β a 50.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Chattanooga more expensive than Centennial?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Chattanooga is 13.5% lower than Centennial (91.464 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· Chattanooga, TN.