Moving from Thornton, CO to Centennial, CO
It is a short 31 mi hop from Thornton, CO to Centennial, CO β roughly 45 min behind the wheel. Even at local distance, household costs and housing values can diverge more than the mileage suggests. Below you will find a direct comparison on BEA cost-of-living, Zillow home values, Census demographics, BLS wages, and NOAA climate.
31 mi Β· 45 min by car Β· CO
Distance & route
| Route through | CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 25, CO 88, CR 42 |
| Major cities en route | Boulder, Westminster, Arvada, Denver, Lakewood |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Thornton | Centennial | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 105.782 vs 105.782 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 0.0% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $502,945 to $649,086 moving to Centennial.
YoY change: Thornton -3.3%, Centennial -2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Thornton | Centennial |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 19Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 44.8" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 14.5" | 15.0" |
Annual average temperatures in Thornton (52.4Β°F) and Centennial (50.2Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: NORTHGLENN, CO US, DENVER CENTENNIAL AP, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Thornton | Centennial |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 142,878 | 107,386 |
| Median household income | $100,985 | $128,167 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 41.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.3% | 37% |
| Avg household size | 2.88 | 2.59 |
Centennial households earn about 0.0% more than Thornton at the median β $100,985 β $128,167 on 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.
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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Thornton vs Centennial?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $128,167 in Centennial vs $100,985 in Thornton β a 26.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Centennial compare to Thornton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Centennial MSA vs $58,490 in the Thornton MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Centennial compared to Thornton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $649,086 in Centennial vs $502,945 in Thornton β a 29.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Centennial, CO from Thornton, CO?
The driving distance is 31 mi and the route typically takes 45 min via I 25 and CO 88. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Thornton to Centennial?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 31 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Thornton.
City profiles: Thornton, CO Β· Centennial, CO.