Moving from Centennial, CO to Houston, TX
It is 1021 mi between Centennial and Houston β roughly 18h 17m 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.
1021 mi Β· 18h 17m by car Β· TX β NM β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β NM β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 287, I 45, I 25 |
| Major cities en route | Pasadena, Pearland, League City, Sugar Land, Mesquite |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Centennial | Houston | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Expect about 6.8% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Houston at 98.629 vs Centennial at 105.782.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 6.8% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $649,086 to $264,336 moving to Houston.
YoY change: Centennial -2.8%, Houston -2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Centennial | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 71Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 44Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 15.0" | 54.1" |
Expect 20.4Β°F warmer on average per year β plan for air conditioning and a summer-heavy wardrobe.
Houston gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DENVER CENTENNIAL AP, CO US, HOUSTON-PORT, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Centennial | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,386 | 2,300,419 |
| Median household income | $128,167 | $62,894 |
| Median age | 41.8 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.59 | 2.51 |
Houston households earn about 6.8% less than Centennial at the median β $128,167 β $62,894 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Houston MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 387,430 | $41,570 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 305,780 | $39,450 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 288,170 | $27,490 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 269,160 | $35,450 |
| Management Occupations | 268,670 | $109,460 |
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 Houston average 93Β°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: Houston averages 54.1 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (20.4Β°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 does household income compare in Centennial vs Houston?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,894 in Houston vs $128,167 in Centennial β a 50.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Houston, TX from Centennial, CO?
The driving distance is 1021 mi and the route typically takes 18h 17m via US 287 and I 45. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Houston more expensive than Centennial?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Houston is 6.8% lower than Centennial (98.629 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Houston compare to Centennial?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Houston MSA vs $58,490 in the Centennial MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Houston compared to Centennial?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $264,336 in Houston vs $649,086 in Centennial β a 59.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Centennial to Houston?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1021 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Centennial.
City profiles: Centennial, CO Β· Houston, TX.