Moving from Fargo, ND to Centennial, CO
The drive from Fargo, ND to Centennial, CO runs 879 mi β about 15h 35m 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.
879 mi Β· 15h 35m by car Β· ND β SD β NE β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | ND β SD β NE β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 29, US 81, I 76 |
| Major cities en route | Sioux Falls, Greeley, Thornton, Westminster, Boulder |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fargo | Centennial | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.871 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 77.324 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.654 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 81.142 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Centennial is 16.4% higher than Fargo, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Centennial is 16.4% above Fargo β $314,973 vs $649,086 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Fargo +4.2%, Centennial -2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fargo | Centennial |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 41Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | -2Β°F | 19Β°F |
| July avg high | 82Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 24.4" | 15.0" |
Climate warms by 8.8Β°F on the annual average β 41.4Β°F β 50.2Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FARGO 3S, ND US, DENVER CENTENNIAL AP, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fargo | Centennial |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,064 | 107,386 |
| Median household income | $66,029 | $128,167 |
| Median age | 32.2 | 41.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29% | 37% |
| Avg household size | 2.2 | 2.59 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 16.4% between Fargo and Centennial (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 North Dakota 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
- I-29 and I-94 can close without notice in winter storms; travel bans are declared more than once most winters.
- I-90 across western South Dakota can close in ground blizzards β check SD 511 November through April.
- 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.
Frequently asked
How far is Centennial, CO from Fargo, ND?
The driving distance is 879 mi and the route typically takes 15h 35m via I 29 and US 81. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Centennial compare to Fargo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Centennial MSA vs $48,110 in the Fargo MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 145,680 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Fargo vs Centennial?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $128,167 in Centennial vs $66,029 in Fargo β a 94.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Fargo to Centennial?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 879 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Centennial compared to Fargo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $649,086 in Centennial vs $314,973 in Fargo β a 106.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Centennial more expensive than Fargo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Centennial is 16.4% higher than Fargo (105.782 vs 90.871, 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 Fargo.
City profiles: Fargo, ND Β· Centennial, CO.