Moving from Centennial, CO to Tacoma, WA
The drive from Centennial, CO to Tacoma, WA runs 1331 mi β about 23h 14m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
1331 mi Β· 23h 14m 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, Kent, Renton, Bellevue, Nampa |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Centennial | Tacoma | 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 cost of living in Tacoma is 5.1% higher than Centennial, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Tacoma is 5.1% below Centennial β $649,086 vs $493,840 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Centennial -2.8%, Tacoma -0.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Centennial | Tacoma |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 54Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 77Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 15.0" | 40.8" |
Annual average temperatures in Centennial (50.2Β°F) and Tacoma (53.7Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DENVER CENTENNIAL AP, CO US, TACOMA #1, WA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Centennial | Tacoma |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,386 | 220,482 |
| Median household income | $128,167 | $83,857 |
| Median age | 41.8 | 37.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37% | 21% |
| Avg household size | 2.59 | 2.41 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 5.1% between Centennial and Tacoma (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Tacoma 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
When is the best time to move from Centennial to Tacoma?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1331 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Tacoma more expensive than Centennial?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tacoma is 5.1% higher than Centennial (111.133 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Tacoma compare to Centennial?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $65,260 in the Tacoma 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 Tacoma compared to Centennial?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $493,840 in Tacoma vs $649,086 in Centennial β a 23.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Centennial vs Tacoma?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $83,857 in Tacoma vs $128,167 in Centennial β a 34.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Tacoma, WA from Centennial, CO?
The driving distance is 1331 mi and the route typically takes 23h 14m via I 84 and US 30. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Centennial.
City profiles: Centennial, CO Β· Tacoma, WA.