Moving from Centennial, CO to Des Moines, IA
It is 686 mi between Centennial and Des Moines β roughly 11h 58m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 3 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.
686 mi Β· 11h 58m by car Β· IA β NE β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | IA β NE β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80 EXPRESS, I 76, I 80 |
| Major cities en route | Omaha, Lincoln, Greeley, Thornton, Westminster |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Centennial | Des Moines | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 91.701 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 84.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 93.73 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 84.741 | 100.0 |
Expect about 13.3% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Des Moines at 91.701 vs Centennial at 105.782.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 13.3% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $649,086 to $208,166 moving to Des Moines.
YoY change: Centennial -2.8%, Des Moines +0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Centennial | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 14Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 86Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 36.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 15.0" | 36.6" |
Annual average temperatures in Centennial (50.2Β°F) and Des Moines (50.9Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Des Moines averages 36.5 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, DES MOINES INTL AP, IA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Centennial | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,386 | 212,464 |
| Median household income | $128,167 | $63,966 |
| Median age | 41.8 | 34.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37% | 19.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.59 | 2.36 |
Des Moines households earn about 13.3% less than Centennial at the median β $128,167 β $63,966 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Des Moines MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 48,550 | $46,670 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 35,680 | $36,420 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 34,890 | $78,150 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 33,360 | $45,430 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 30,210 | $30,100 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and Iowa
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Iowa'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
- 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: Des Moines averages 36.5 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Tornado season runs April through June β identify a safe room or interior space early.
- 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 Iowa after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Centennial to Des Moines?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 686 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 Des Moines compare to Centennial?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,550 in the Des Moines MSA vs $58,490 in the Centennial MSA, on total employment of 383,190 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Des Moines compared to Centennial?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $208,166 in Des Moines vs $649,086 in Centennial β a 67.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Des Moines, IA from Centennial, CO?
The driving distance is 686 mi and the route typically takes 11h 58m via I 80 EXPRESS and I 76. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Centennial vs Des Moines?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,966 in Des Moines vs $128,167 in Centennial β a 50.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Des Moines more expensive than Centennial?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Des Moines is 13.3% lower than Centennial (91.701 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· Des Moines, IA.