Moving from Centennial, CO to Kent, WA
It is 1315 mi between Centennial and Kent β roughly 22h 55m 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.
1315 mi Β· 22h 55m by car Β· WA β OR β ID β UT β WY β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | WA β OR β ID β UT β WY β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 84, US 30, I 80 |
| Major cities en route | Seattle, Tacoma, Renton, Bellevue, Nampa |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Centennial | Kent | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 111.133 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 92.814 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 103.972 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 151.314 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 5.1% above Centennial β 105.782 β 111.133 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing stays roughly flat moving from Centennial to Kent β $649,086 vs $656,314 (2026-03).
YoY change: Centennial -2.8%, Kent -2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Centennial | Kent |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 54Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 78Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 15.0" | 40.1" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DENVER CENTENNIAL AP, CO US, KENT, WA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Centennial | Kent |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,386 | 135,015 |
| Median household income | $128,167 | $90,416 |
| Median age | 41.8 | 35.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37% | 21.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.59 | 2.89 |
Kent households earn about 5.1% less than Centennial at the median β $128,167 β $90,416 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Kent MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 225,240 | $54,470 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 197,190 | $97,870 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 190,190 | $48,950 |
| Computer and Mathematical Occupations | 171,820 | $140,760 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 167,750 | $40,980 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and Washington
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Washington'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
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- 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
- Wildfire season east of the Cascades peaks July through September; earthquake preparedness is standard west of the mountains.
- 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 Washington after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Centennial vs Kent?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,416 in Kent vs $128,167 in Centennial β a 29.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Kent, WA from Centennial, CO?
The driving distance is 1315 mi and the route typically takes 22h 55m via I 84 and US 30. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Centennial to Kent?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1315 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 Kent compare to Centennial?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $65,260 in the Kent MSA vs $58,490 in the Centennial MSA, on total employment of 2,079,090 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Kent compared to Centennial?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $656,314 in Kent vs $649,086 in Centennial β a 1.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Kent more expensive than Centennial?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Kent is 5.1% higher than Centennial (111.133 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· Kent, WA.