Moving from Tacoma, WA to Greeley, CO
A move from Tacoma, WA to Greeley, CO covers 1282 mi and around 22h 24m of driving through 6 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
1282 mi Β· 22h 24m by car Β· WA β OR β ID β UT β WY β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | WA β OR β ID β UT β WY β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 84, US 30, I 80 |
| Major cities en route | Kent, Seattle, Renton, Bellevue, Meridian |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tacoma | Greeley | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 100.176 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 81.997 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 96.052 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 112.599 | 100.0 |
Greeley is 9.9% cheaper than Tacoma overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Greeley is 9.9% below Tacoma ($420,464 vs $493,840 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Tacoma -0.9%, Greeley -1.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Tacoma | Greeley |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 52Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 18Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 34.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.8" | 14.7" |
Annual average temperatures in Tacoma (53.7Β°F) and Greeley (52.1Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Greeley averages 34.9 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: TACOMA #1, WA US, GREELEY UNC, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tacoma | Greeley |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,482 | 109,421 |
| Median household income | $83,857 | $68,650 |
| Median age | 37.3 | 32.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21% | 15.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.41 | 2.81 |
Median household income in Greeley is 9.9% below Tacoma ($83,857 β $68,650, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Greeley MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 11,370 | $46,100 |
| Construction and Extraction Occupations | 11,010 | $52,590 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 10,590 | $47,780 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 10,120 | $39,710 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 9,660 | $32,760 |
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
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during 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
- Winter gear first: Greeley averages 34.9 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Greeley average 92Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Greeley sees only 14.7 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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 Greeley more expensive than Tacoma?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Greeley is 9.9% lower than Tacoma (100.176 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Tacoma to Greeley?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1282 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 Greeley compare to Tacoma?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,140 in the Greeley MSA vs $65,260 in the Tacoma MSA, on total employment of 111,210 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Tacoma vs Greeley?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $68,650 in Greeley vs $83,857 in Tacoma β a 18.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Greeley compared to Tacoma?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $420,464 in Greeley vs $493,840 in Tacoma β a 14.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Greeley, CO from Tacoma, WA?
The driving distance is 1282 mi and the route typically takes 22h 24m via I 84 and US 30. The trip crosses 6 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 Tacoma.
City profiles: Tacoma, WA Β· Greeley, CO.