Moving from Santa Rosa, CA to Centennial, CO
The drive from Santa Rosa, CA to Centennial, CO runs 1269 mi β about 22h 5m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
1269 mi Β· 22h 5m 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 | Vallejo, Richmond, Berkeley, Fairfield, Concord |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Rosa | Centennial | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 107.784 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 154.777 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 139.569 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Centennial and Santa Rosa is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Centennial is 1.9% below Santa Rosa ($649,086 vs $718,726 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Santa Rosa -2.2%, Centennial -2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Santa Rosa | Centennial |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 38Β°F | 19Β°F |
| July avg high | 82Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 31.5" | 15.0" |
Climate cools by 8.8Β°F on the annual average β 59.0Β°F β 50.2Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANTA ROSA, CA US, DENVER CENTENNIAL AP, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Rosa | Centennial |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,216 | 107,386 |
| Median household income | $97,410 | $128,167 |
| Median age | 40.5 | 41.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.3% | 37% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.59 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 1.9% between Santa Rosa and Centennial (ACS 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 the job market in Centennial compare to Santa Rosa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Centennial MSA vs $51,670 in the Santa Rosa MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 206,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Santa Rosa vs Centennial?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $128,167 in Centennial vs $97,410 in Santa Rosa β a 31.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Centennial compared to Santa Rosa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $649,086 in Centennial vs $718,726 in Santa Rosa β a 9.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Santa Rosa to Centennial?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1269 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Centennial more expensive than Santa Rosa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Centennial is 1.9% lower than Santa Rosa (105.782 vs 107.784, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Centennial, CO from Santa Rosa, CA?
The driving distance is 1269 mi and the route typically takes 22h 5m 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 Santa Rosa.
City profiles: Santa Rosa, CA Β· Centennial, CO.