Moving from Kent, WA to Denver, CO
A move from Kent, WA to Denver, CO covers 1302 mi and around 22h 42m of driving through 6 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.
1302 mi Β· 22h 42m by car Β· CO β WY β UT β ID β OR β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | CO β WY β UT β ID β OR β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 84, I 80, US 97 |
| Major cities en route | Aurora, Centennial, Lakewood, Arvada, Thornton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Kent | Denver | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Kent (111.133) and Denver (105.782) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Moderate housing drop: Denver ZHVI at $539,666 is 4.8% below Kent at $656,314.
YoY change: Kent -2.1%, Denver -4.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Kent | Denver |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 18Β°F |
| July avg high | 78Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 49.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.1" | 15.4" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Heavy-snow city: expect 49.0 in of snowfall annually at Denver.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: KENT, WA US, DENVER-STAPLETON, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Kent | Denver |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,015 | 713,734 |
| Median household income | $90,416 | $91,681 |
| Median age | 35.3 | 35.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.1% | 33.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.89 | 2.17 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Denver 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 Washington 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
- 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.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- 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.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Denver averages 49.0 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Denver average 90Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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
How does household income compare in Kent vs Denver?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $91,681 in Denver vs $90,416 in Kent β a 1.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Denver compare to Kent?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Denver MSA vs $65,260 in the Kent MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Denver compared to Kent?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $539,666 in Denver vs $656,314 in Kent β a 17.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Denver, CO from Kent, WA?
The driving distance is 1302 mi and the route typically takes 22h 42m via I 84 and I 80. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Kent to Denver?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1302 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Denver more expensive than Kent?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Denver is 4.8% lower than Kent (105.782 vs 111.133, 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 Kent.
City profiles: Kent, WA Β· Denver, CO.