($1,161) Moving From California to Colorado
Quick answer: The average cost to move from California to Colorado ranges from $783 to $5,933 and takes two-eight days. The top cost factors are how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the move yourself.
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Hiring a full-service California moving company will be on the more expensive side, while a rental truck or a moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.
You may also want to consider the potential added cost of getting your vehicle or boat to your new home as part of your move. Some full-service movers can coordinate auto transport for you as part of your relocation package for an additional fee. But you can also handle vehicle transport from California to Colorado separately through one of the top car shipping companies.
Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our moving from Colorado to California guide.
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The best California to Colorado movers
Hiring an interstate moving company from California to Colorado is a big deal.
There are more than 8,000 moving companies in the U.S. But don’t worry, you won’t have to filter through all of them. We’ve done the research for you and narrowed the list based on customer satisfaction, cost, and services.
Here are the best long-distance moving companies serving California to Colorado:
- Safeway Moving: Best overall value
- Mayzlin Relocation: Best for personalized service
- BLVD Moving: Best for quick quotes
- PODS: Best nationwide coverage
- American Van Lines: Most experienced mover
- GPS tracking en route
- Veteran-owned
- Dedicated move coordinator
- Flat-rate pricing
- Donates a portion of moves to charity
- Family-owned, with locations covering the East Coast
- Full refund if you cancel within 7 days of your move
- Hands-on customer service
- 24/7 support
- Price-matching policy
- Family owned & operated
- Affordable pricing
- Binding estimates
- 30 days storage included
- Local and long distance moving options
- Unlimited loading/unloading time
- Store on property or at a facility
- Experienced & fully trained moving crews
- Specializes in moving art & antiques
- Competitive pricing
- Can handle last-minute moves
- Climate-controlled storage
If you’re just trying to ship a few items, here’s a list of our recommended services for small moves.
Looking for local California movers?
| Company | Quote | Rating | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
most popular
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Get A Quote |
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3600 S Higuera St, San Luis Obispo, CA, 93401 (805) 544-6328 |
| Grace Moving Company | Get A Quote |
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800 Janopaul Lane, Modesto, CA, 95351 (209) 551-7772 |
| Grizzly Moving | Get A Quote |
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7090 Miramar Rd #102, San Diego, CA, 92121 (844) 474-9959 |
Visit our Best Movers in California page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.
How much does it cost to move from California to Colorado?
The table below lays out average cost ranges to move from California to Colorado for different moving services depending on the size of your home.
| Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 Bedroom | $1,161 - $4,603 | $832 - $2,030 | $724 - $1,284 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,683 - $5,933 | $1,598 - $3,009 | $783 - $1,574 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,135 - $8,391 | $2,014 - $4,215 | $1,003 - $1,975 |
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 1,118 miles and historical averages. The actual size of your move, additional services required, truck parking access, market conditions, and availability can greatly affect your final costs.
Factors affecting the cost of moving from CA to CO
There are many factors that influence California moving costs. The cost to move from California to Colorado will depend on these factors:
- Move size: Moving a large home costs more than moving a studio apartment.
- Time of year: The peak moving season in California is in the summer, so moving companies will likely charge more.
- DIY vs. professional mover: DIY moving services are cheaper but you do all the heavy lifting compared to letting the pros handle your move.
How much does it cost to hire movers from California to Colorado?
Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from California to Colorado will cost between $1,161 and $4,603. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from CA to CO will range from $2,683 to $5,933, and a large move from California to Colorado will cost from $4,135 to $8,391.
How much are moving containers like PODS from California to Colorado?
Moving containers from California to Colorado will cost you $832 to $2,030 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,598 to $3,009. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $2,014 to $4,215. Learn more about PODS cost.
Here are the cheapest moving container companies when moving out of California.
How much is a moving truck from California to Colorado?
A moving rental truck is generally the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor.
Moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around
$724 to $1,284.
A two to three-bedroom move will cost
$783 to $1,574,
and moving a home with four or more bedrooms or from California to Colorado costs from
$1,003 to $1,975.
These estimates include the estimated fuel cost.
Is moving from California to Colorado a good idea?
If you’re moving to Colorado from California, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.
Cost of living: California vs. Colorado
| California | Colorado | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,856 | $1,594 |
| Average home cost | $771,057 | $541,072 |
| Average income (per capita) | $91,905 | $87,598 |
| Cost of Living Index | 134 | 91 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4% | 4.1% |
| Average Sales Tax | 8.68% | 7.81% |
| State Income Tax | 13.3% | 5.49% |
- Rent is about 14% less expensive in Colorado than in California.
- Home prices are about 30% lower in Colorado than in California.
- The average income is about 5% lower in Colorado than in California.
- Cost of living is 32% lower in Colorado than in California.
- Colorado has a lower unemployment rate than California by about 24%.
- Sales taxes are 10% lower in Colorado than in California.
- Income taxes are 59% lower in Colorado than in California.
How does life in Colorado differ from California?
| Colorado | California | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 5,877,610 | 39,029,342 |
| Political leaning | Democrat 54-46 | Democratic 59-41 |
| Summer high | 86ºF | 87ºF |
| Winter low | 13ºF | 59ºF |
| Annual rain | 16" | 22" |
| Annual snow | 63" | 7" |
| Crime index | 36.4 | 28.43 |
- The population of Colorado is approximately 85% lower than the population of California.
- In the last presidential election, Colorado voted Democrat and California voted Democratic.
- The average high in the summertime in Colorado is 86ºF and in California, it’s 87ºF.
- During the coldest part of the year, Colorado reaches the temperature of 13ºF and California gets down to 59ºF.
- You can expect about sixteen inches of annual rainfall in Colorado versus twenty-two inches of rainfall in California.
- In Colorado, it snows about sixty-three inches annually versus seven inches of snow in California.
- Colorado has a higher crime rate than California with a crime index of 36.4 vs 28.43.
Comparing the pros of California vs. Colorado
There are always a lot of reasons to get excited about living somewhere new. These are the best parts of living in California versus Colorado side by side.
| Pros of living in California | Pros of living in Colorado |
|---|---|
| Ample economic opportunity | Ample economic opportunity |
| Pleasant weather | Awesome snow recreational activities |
| Abundant recreational options | Quality healthcare |
| High quality of life | High quality of life |
| Fresh and healthy foods | Beautiful outdoors |
Comparing the cons of living in California vs. Colorado
Not everything is sunshine and rainbows all the time, no matter where you live. Here are some things to be aware of when leaving California for Colorado.
| Cons of living in California | Cons of living in Colorado |
|---|---|
| High cost of living | Extreme weather |
| Heavy tax burdens | High cost of living |
| Natural disasters | Altitude sickness |
| Terrible traffic | Overcrowding |
| Strange laws | Bad traffic |
What to know before your move to Colorado
- Weather: Colorado has a relatively complex climate. Ranging from the famous mountain region of the state to desert. Therefore, keep track of the weather of your new city on move day. The most extreme weather that happens in Colorado happens in the least populated areas of the state but you may drive through these regions to get to your new home so be wary of that too.
- HOA Rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
- Elevator Reservation: One common and important example of something that should be handled ahead of time is reserving the building's elevator and finding out their rules for using the elevator.
- Parking Permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles, find out ahead of time with your new local rules.
- State Licensing: The Colorado Public Utilities Commission (COPUC) regulates local and intrastate moving service providers in Colorado. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
- State Regulator: You can verify a Colorado moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
- Moving Permits: Colorado does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
- Change of Address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form so that all your mail will get properly forwarded to Colorado. Get started here.
- Mover's Insurance: Interstate moving companies are required under federal law to provide basic insurance — also called “released value protection” — free of charge to all moving customers. Choose Released Value Protection for its cost-free advantage, provided by movers with minimal coverage. Under this option, the mover's responsibility is capped at 60 cents per pound per article. For instance, if your mover lost or damaged a valuable item, you would only receive compensation based on this limited valuation. If you seek comprehensive coverage for your items' full value, discuss alternative options with the moving company you're hiring or explore third-party insurance providers.
- Moving Checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.
Things to do in Colorado
While you’re in Colorado, you won’t be bored. These are some of the coolest places to visit in your new home state:
- Garden of the Gods
- Mesa Verde National Park
- Vail Ski Resort
- Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
- Denver Museum of Nature and Science
- Maroon Bells
- Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
- Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
- Elitch Gardens Theme Park
- Rocky Mountain National Park
- Durango and the Silverton Narrow Gauge Railway
- San Juan Skyway Scenic Byway and the Million Dollar Highway
- Mount Evans Scenic Byway
- Dinosaur National Monument
- Bridal Veil Falls
- Royal Gorge Bridge and Park
- Hanging Lake
- Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave
- Trail Ridge Road
- Telluride Ski Resort
FAQs
What is the cheapest way to move from California to Colorado?
The cheapest way to move from California to Colorado is with a DIY move. Here’s our guide for the cheapest way to move out of state.
What are the benefits of moving from California to Colorado?
The main reasons people are moving from California to Colorado are the amazing upsides of living in Colorado such as ample economic opportunity and awesome snow recreational activities.
Is it cheaper to live in California or Colorado?
It is generally cheaper to live in Colorado than in California. Housing is much more affordable in Colorado, with average rent about 14% less and home prices 29.8% lower than in California. Taxes are also lower in Colorado, most notably income taxes, which are more than 50% less than those paid by California residents.
How much should you make a year to live comfortably in Colorado?
You should make approximately $36,026 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in Arizona. The cost of living in Arizona is approximately $0 per month for an individual and $0 for a family of four. The exact amount you’ll need to live comfortably may be more or less depending on where in Colorado you live For example, larger cities like Arvada and Aurora will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.
