Moving from Oakland, CA to Centennial, CO
Relocating 1266 mi from Oakland to Centennial is a 21h 49m drive through 5 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1266 mi Β· 21h 49m by car Β· CA β NV β UT β WY β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β NV β UT β WY β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 25, US 287 |
| Major cities en route | Fremont, Hayward, Sunnyvale, San Mateo, Berkeley |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Oakland | Centennial | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 8.5% cheaper overall in Centennial than Oakland on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 8.5% under Oakland β $716,248 β $649,086 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Oakland -8.5%, Centennial -2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Oakland | Centennial |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 19Β°F |
| July avg high | 72Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 22.6" | 15.0" |
Expect 9.4Β°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: OAKLAND MUSEUM, CA US, DENVER CENTENNIAL AP, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Oakland | Centennial |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 438,072 | 107,386 |
| Median household income | $97,369 | $128,167 |
| Median age | 37.6 | 41.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.5% | 37% |
| Avg household size | 2.53 | 2.59 |
Expect median household income to rise 8.5% β $97,369 β $128,167 per ACS 5-year estimates (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-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.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Oakland vs Centennial?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $128,167 in Centennial vs $97,369 in Oakland β a 31.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Oakland to Centennial?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1266 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 Oakland?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Centennial MSA vs $72,050 in the Oakland MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Centennial, CO from Oakland, CA?
The driving distance is 1266 mi and the route typically takes 21h 49m via I 80 and I 25. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Centennial compared to Oakland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $649,086 in Centennial vs $716,248 in Oakland β a 9.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Centennial more expensive than Oakland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Centennial is 8.5% lower than Oakland (105.782 vs 115.613, 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 Oakland.
City profiles: Oakland, CA Β· Centennial, CO.