Moving from Centennial, CO to Philadelphia, PA
A 1715 mi cross-country move between Centennial and Philadelphia is 31h 36m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 7 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1715 mi Β· 31h 36m by car Β· PA β OH β IN β IL β MO β KS β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | PA β OH β IN β IL β MO β KS β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, US 40, I 76 |
| Major cities en route | Pittsburgh, Columbus, Dayton, St Louis, Columbia |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Centennial | Philadelphia | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 102.554 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 114.389 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 96.833 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 113.141 | 100.0 |
Centennial and Philadelphia sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $649,086 in Centennial to $231,815 in Philadelphia, a 3.1% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Centennial -2.8%, Philadelphia +2.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Centennial | Philadelphia |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 58Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 28Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 89Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 16.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 15.0" | 50.7" |
Annual temperature rises 7.5Β°F moving to Philadelphia per NOAA normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Philadelphia sees 16.1 in a year on NOAA normals β budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DENVER CENTENNIAL AP, CO US, PHILA FRANKLIN INST, PA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Centennial | Philadelphia |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,386 | 1,582,432 |
| Median household income | $128,167 | $60,698 |
| Median age | 41.8 | 35.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37% | 19.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.59 | 2.36 |
Philadelphia households earn about 3.1% less than Centennial at the median β $128,167 β $60,698 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Philadelphia MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 352,560 | $46,660 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 252,940 | $41,710 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 228,980 | $36,650 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 223,850 | $31,100 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 200,320 | $86,620 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and Pennsylvania
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Pennsylvania'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
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy 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
- Winter gear first: Philadelphia averages 16.1 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Pack rain gear on top: Philadelphia averages 50.7 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- 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 Pennsylvania after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Philadelphia more expensive than Centennial?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Philadelphia is 3.1% lower than Centennial (102.554 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Philadelphia compare to Centennial?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,160 in the Philadelphia MSA vs $58,490 in the Centennial MSA, on total employment of 2,829,560 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Philadelphia, PA from Centennial, CO?
The driving distance is 1715 mi and the route typically takes 31h 36m via I 70 and US 40. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Centennial vs Philadelphia?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,698 in Philadelphia vs $128,167 in Centennial β a 52.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Philadelphia compared to Centennial?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $231,815 in Philadelphia vs $649,086 in Centennial β a 64.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Centennial to Philadelphia?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1715 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· Philadelphia, PA.