Moving from Manchester, NH to Denver, CO
Cross-country relocations like Manchester, NH → Denver, CO cover 2009 mi and about 36h 49m of driving through 11 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
2009 mi · 36h 49m by car · CO → NE → IA → IL → IN → OH → PA → NY → CT → MA → NH
Distance & route
| Route through | CO → NE → IA → IL → IN → OH → PA → NY → CT → MA → NH |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 90, I 84 |
| Major cities en route | Aurora, Centennial, Lakewood, Thornton, Arvada |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Manchester | Denver | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.657 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 133.535 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 97.687 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 134.22 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Denver and Manchester is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Denver is 0.1% above Manchester — $435,334 vs $539,666 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Manchester +1.5%, Denver -4.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Manchester | Denver |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 47°F | 51°F |
| January avg low | 13°F | 18°F |
| July avg high | 81°F | 90°F |
| Annual snowfall | 52.8" | 49.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 42.5" | 15.4" |
Annual average temperatures in Manchester (47.4°F) and Denver (51.4°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Denver averages 49.0 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: MASSABESIC LAKE, NH US, DENVER-STAPLETON, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Manchester | Denver |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,415 | 713,734 |
| Median household income | $77,415 | $91,681 |
| Median age | 37.9 | 35.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.5% | 33.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.33 | 2.17 |
Income steps up 0.1%: $77,415 in Manchester vs $91,681 in Denver.
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 New Hampshire 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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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 — check CDOT alerts before departure.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- Lake-effect off Lake Ontario can shut down I-81 and I-90 for hours in winter — check 511NY.
- I-93 through Franconia Notch sees heavy winter weather — check NH 511.
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 — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Denver average 90°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
When is the best time to move from Manchester to Denver?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2009 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Manchester vs Denver?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $91,681 in Denver vs $77,415 in Manchester — a 18.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Denver, CO from Manchester, NH?
The driving distance is 2009 mi and the route typically takes 36h 49m via I 80 and I 90. The trip crosses 11 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Denver compared to Manchester?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $539,666 in Denver vs $435,334 in Manchester — a 24.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Denver more expensive than Manchester?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Denver is 0.1% higher than Manchester (105.782 vs 105.657, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Manchester and Denver?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 51.4°F in Denver vs 47.4°F in Manchester (4.0°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 49.0 in vs 52.8 in. Annual precipitation: 15.4 in vs 42.5 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Manchester.
City profiles: Manchester, NH · Denver, CO.