Moving from San Jose, CA to Centennial, CO
Relocating 1301 mi from San Jose to Centennial is a 22h 28m 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.
1301 mi Β· 22h 28m 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, I 680 |
| Major cities en route | Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, Fremont, Hayward, San Mateo |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Jose | Centennial | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.423 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 156.659 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 211.901 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
San Jose and Centennial sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $1,463,614 in San Jose to $649,086 in Centennial, a 4.2% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: San Jose -2.5%, Centennial -2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | San Jose | Centennial |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 19Β°F |
| July avg high | 82Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 16.1" | 15.0" |
Expect 11.3Β°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN JOSE, CA US, DENVER CENTENNIAL AP, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Jose | Centennial |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 990,054 | 107,386 |
| Median household income | $141,565 | $128,167 |
| Median age | 38.1 | 41.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.2% | 37% |
| Avg household size | 3.03 | 2.59 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 4.2% lower in Centennial than San Jose.
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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (11.3Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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
Is Centennial more expensive than San Jose?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Centennial is 4.2% lower than San Jose (105.782 vs 110.423, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Centennial compare to San Jose?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Centennial MSA vs $81,470 in the San Jose MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 1,141,820 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in San Jose vs Centennial?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $128,167 in Centennial vs $141,565 in San Jose β a 9.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from San Jose to Centennial?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1301 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 San Jose?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $649,086 in Centennial vs $1,463,614 in San Jose β a 55.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Centennial, CO from San Jose, CA?
The driving distance is 1301 mi and the route typically takes 22h 28m via I 80 and I 25. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from San Jose.
City profiles: San Jose, CA Β· Centennial, CO.