Moving from Spokane Valley, WA to Centennial, CO
The drive from Spokane Valley, WA to Centennial, CO runs 1098 mi β about 18h 26m 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.
1098 mi Β· 18h 26m by car Β· CO β WY β MT β ID β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | CO β WY β MT β ID β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, I 25, US 87 |
| Major cities en route | Aurora, Lakewood, Denver, Arvada, Thornton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Spokane Valley | Centennial | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.346 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 91.196 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.028 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 97.059 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP moves from 100.346 in Spokane Valley to 105.782 in Centennial, a 5.4% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Centennial: 5.4% above Spokane Valley on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Spokane Valley +0.7%, Centennial -2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Spokane Valley | Centennial |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 26Β°F | 19Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 17.4" | 15.0" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SPOKANE FELTS FLD, WA US, DENVER CENTENNIAL AP, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Spokane Valley | Centennial |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,460 | 107,386 |
| Median household income | $70,722 | $128,167 |
| Median age | 37.6 | 41.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.7% | 37% |
| Avg household size | 2.47 | 2.59 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 5.4% between Spokane Valley 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 Washington 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
- 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.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- Montana interstates can close without notice in winter storms β check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
Is Centennial more expensive than Spokane Valley?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Centennial is 5.4% higher than Spokane Valley (105.782 vs 100.346, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Spokane Valley vs Centennial?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $128,167 in Centennial vs $70,722 in Spokane Valley β a 81.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Spokane Valley to Centennial?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1098 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 Spokane Valley?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Centennial MSA vs $48,920 in the Spokane Valley MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 255,160 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Centennial, CO from Spokane Valley, WA?
The driving distance is 1098 mi and the route typically takes 18h 26m via I 90 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 Spokane Valley?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $649,086 in Centennial vs $408,888 in Spokane Valley β a 58.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Spokane Valley.
City profiles: Spokane Valley, WA Β· Centennial, CO.