Moving from Costa Mesa, CA to Centennial, CO
A move from Costa Mesa, CA to Centennial, CO covers 1034 mi and around 18h 12m 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.
1034 mi Β· 18h 12m 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 | Long Beach, Huntington Beach, Santa Ana, Irvine, Anaheim |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Costa Mesa | Centennial | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Centennial are 6.9% below Costa Mesa β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Centennial typical home at $649,086 is 6.9% under Costa Mesa at $1,413,322 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Costa Mesa +3.1%, Centennial -2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Costa Mesa | Centennial |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 19Β°F |
| July avg high | 79Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 11.2" | 15.0" |
Centennial is 14.7Β°F cooler on the annual average (64.9Β°F vs 50.2Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANTA ANA JOHN WAYNE AP, CA US, DENVER CENTENNIAL AP, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Costa Mesa | Centennial |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 110,538 | 107,386 |
| Median household income | $110,073 | $128,167 |
| Median age | 36.5 | 41.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30.9% | 37% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 2.59 |
Median household income in Centennial is 6.9% above Costa Mesa ($110,073 β $128,167, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Centennial MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 173,910 | $49,000 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 172,890 | $48,280 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 164,250 | $84,370 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 140,150 | $36,010 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 129,510 | $45,350 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Colorado
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Colorado'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
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (14.7Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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 Colorado after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Centennial more expensive than Costa Mesa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Centennial is 6.9% lower than Costa Mesa (105.782 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Centennial compared to Costa Mesa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $649,086 in Centennial vs $1,413,322 in Costa Mesa β a 54.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Costa Mesa vs Centennial?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $128,167 in Centennial vs $110,073 in Costa Mesa β a 16.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Centennial, CO from Costa Mesa, CA?
The driving distance is 1034 mi and the route typically takes 18h 12m 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 Costa Mesa to Centennial?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1034 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 Centennial compare to Costa Mesa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Centennial MSA vs $50,490 in the Costa Mesa MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Costa Mesa.
City profiles: Costa Mesa, CA Β· Centennial, CO.