Moving from Rochester, NY to Centennial, CO
It is 1603 mi and 29h 9m from Rochester to Centennial β a cross-country move across 8 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1603 mi Β· 29h 9m by car Β· NY β PA β OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | NY β PA β OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, I 80, I 80 EXPRESS |
| Major cities en route | Buffalo, Cleveland, Akron, Toledo, South Bend |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Rochester | Centennial | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.035 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 133.213 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 99.693 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 87.481 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 9.0% above Rochester β 97.035 β 105.782 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
9.0% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Rochester +3.0%, Centennial -2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Rochester | Centennial |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 19Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 102.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 35.1" | 15.0" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ROCHESTER GTR INTL AP, NY US, DENVER CENTENNIAL AP, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Rochester | Centennial |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,720 | 107,386 |
| Median household income | $46,628 | $128,167 |
| Median age | 33.5 | 41.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.3% | 37% |
| Avg household size | 2.27 | 2.59 |
Expect median household income to rise 9.0% β $46,628 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 New York 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
- Lake-effect off Lake Ontario can shut down I-81 and I-90 for hours in winter β check 511NY.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter 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.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Centennial compared to Rochester?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $649,086 in Centennial vs $235,784 in Rochester β a 175.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Centennial more expensive than Rochester?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Centennial is 9.0% higher than Rochester (105.782 vs 97.035, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Rochester vs Centennial?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $128,167 in Centennial vs $46,628 in Rochester β a 174.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Centennial, CO from Rochester, NY?
The driving distance is 1603 mi and the route typically takes 29h 9m via I 90 and I 80. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Rochester to Centennial?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1603 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 Rochester?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Centennial MSA vs $48,500 in the Rochester MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 493,220 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 Rochester.
City profiles: Rochester, NY Β· Centennial, CO.