Moving from Centennial, CO to Riverside, CA
A move from Centennial, CO to Riverside, CA covers 996 mi and around 17h 26m of driving through 5 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.
996 mi Β· 17h 26m by car Β· CA β NV β AZ β UT β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β NV β AZ β UT β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 15, US 66 HIST |
| Major cities en route | Anaheim, Irvine, Ontario, Corona, Pomona |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Centennial | Riverside | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Riverside and Centennial is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home values in Centennial and Riverside are within 5% of each other ($649,086 vs $646,784 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Centennial -2.8%, Riverside -1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Centennial | Riverside |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 15.0" | 10.0" |
Riverside runs 16.7Β°F warmer on the annual average (50.2Β°F vs 66.9Β°F) β a climate shift you will feel in cooling bills and wardrobe alike.
Riverside 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, RIVERSIDE FIRE STN 3, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Centennial | Riverside |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,386 | 316,241 |
| Median household income | $128,167 | $88,575 |
| Median age | 41.8 | 33.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37% | 15.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.59 | 3.42 |
Median household income in Riverside is 0.6% below Centennial ($128,167 vs $88,575, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Riverside MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 267,890 | $47,210 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 177,100 | $47,040 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 167,590 | $34,570 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 136,950 | $36,420 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 115,940 | $32,240 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- 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.
- 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 Riverside average 95Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Riverside sees only 10.0 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (16.7Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Centennial vs Riverside?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,575 in Riverside vs $128,167 in Centennial β a 30.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Riverside compare to Centennial?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Riverside MSA vs $58,490 in the Centennial MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Riverside, CA from Centennial, CO?
The driving distance is 996 mi and the route typically takes 17h 26m via I 70 and I 15. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Centennial to Riverside?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 996 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Riverside more expensive than Centennial?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Riverside is 0.6% higher than Centennial (106.442 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Riverside compared to Centennial?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $646,784 in Riverside vs $649,086 in Centennial β a 0.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Centennial.
City profiles: Centennial, CO Β· Riverside, CA.