Moving to Colorado: Pros and Cons in 2025
If you’re thinking about moving to Colorado, you’re not alone. The Centennial State atttacts newcomers for good reason! With bustling metropolitan areas like Denver and quiet rural towns, there’s a place to match your desired pace of life.
As much as there is to love about Colorado, it’s smart to weigh the good and the not-so-good before you buy a new home and pack up your belongings.
Here, we’ll walk you through what you need to know about moving to Colorado to help you decide if it’s the right fit for you.
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Pros & cons of living in Colorado
Like any big move, relocating to Colorado comes with its own upsides and potential downsides that are important to consider.
Here’s a look at some of the biggest pros and cons of living in the Centennial State to help you make an informed decision.
Pros of living in CO
- ✓Ample economic opportunity
- ✓Awesome snow recreational activities
- ✓Quality healthcare
- ✓High quality of life
- ✓Beautiful outdoors
Cons of living in CO
- ✖Extreme weather
- ✖High cost of living
- ✖Altitude sickness
- ✖Overcrowding
- ✖Bad traffic
Things to do in Colorado
Whether you’re moving to Colorado work, family, or just a fresh start, you’ll want to get the most out of your new home state — and that includes finding fun things to do. The good news is that, no matter your interests, Colorado has lots of fun places to explore and things to do.
You can visit these places with your family or use them to meet new people if you’re alone. With so many choices, you’re sure to find something that suits you and makes you feel comfortable.
Popular Attractions in Colorado
- 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
Museums in Colorado
- Denver Botanic Gardens
- Argo Mill and Tunnel
- Rosemount Museum
- Benson Park Sculpture Garden
- Denver Museum of Nature & Science
- Denver Art Museum
- Colorado Model Railroad Museum
- Pueblo Weisbrod Aircraft Museum
- Colorado School of Mines Geology Museum
- Walking Mountains Science Center
Parks in Colorado
- Rocky Mountain National Park
- Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
- Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
- Mesa Verde National Park
- Canyons of the Ancients National Monument
- Dinosaur National Monument
- Browns Canyon National Monument
Fun facts about Colorado
Each state has a unique character molded by its history, culture, and residents. Learning about its small details and quirky traditions helps you understand what life there is truly like.
These fun facts about Colorado, will give you a glimpse at what makes the state unique, and may even give you a few more reasons to make the move.
- The United States Air Force Academy is located in Colorado Springs.
- The world’s largest flat-top mountain is in Grand Mesa.
- In Fruita, the town folk celebrate ‘Mike the Headless Chicken Day’. Seems that a farmer named L.A. Olsen cut off Mike’s head on September 10, 1945 in anticipation of a chicken dinner – and Mike lived for another 4 years without a head.
- The LoDo region of Denver stands for Lower Downtown.
- Denver, lays claim to the invention of the cheeseburger. The trademark for the name Cheeseburger was awarded in 1935 to Louis Ballast.
- The highest paved road in North America is the Road to Mt. Evans off of I-70 from Idaho Springs. The Road climbs up to 14,258 Ft. above sea level.
- Colorado means Colored red and is known as the Centennial State.
- The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad continues to provide year round train service operating a historical train with rolling stock indigenous to the line. The line was constructed primarily to haul mine ores, both gold and silver, from the San Juan Mountains.
- The United States federal government owns more than 1/3 of the land in Colorado.
- Colorado contains 75% of the land area of the U.S. with an altitude over 10,000 feet.
- Colorado has 222 state wildlife areas.
- Colfax Avenue in Denver is the longest continuous street in America.
- The 13th step of the state capital building in Denver is exactly 1 mile high above sea level.
Colorado population and demographics
While you’re thinking about relocating to Colorado, it’s important to look beyond facts and figures to get to the story they tell about the Centennial State.
A state with more people might have more jobs, entertainment, and better infrastructure. On the other hand, a state with fewer people could mean a quieter lifestyle and close-knit communities.
Average education levels show the availability of job opportunities or access to local schools and colleges. Political breakdowns may indicate a state’s values and priorities.
Understanding who lives in Colorado, how they live, and what they value can make it much easier to decide if it’s the kind of place where you’d feel comfortable and connected.
| Metric | Colorado |
|---|---|
| Population | 5,877,610 |
| Female | 49.4% |
| Male | 50.6% |
| College graduation rate | 44.42% |
| Political leaning | Democrat 54-46 |
| Crime index | 36.4 |
Colorado weather
Climate plays a huge role in shaping your day-to-day life, so it’s an important factor to consider when deciding whether Colorado is right for you. Looking at seasonal highs and lows and average rain and snowfall can help you imagine how much time you’ll be spending outdoors, preparing for storms, and adjusting to temperature extremes.
Summer highs can influence your energy bills and how much time you spend away from the AC. Winter lows determine the type of wardrobe and heating system you’ll need. Annual snowfall can range from light flurries to major storms that affect travel and daily life.
Whether you love sunshine, prefer cooler temps, or want to avoid snow altogether, knowing the climate can help you decide if Colorado aligns with your lifestyle and comfort level.
| Metric | Colorado |
|---|---|
| Summer high | 86ºF |
| Winter low | 13ºF |
| Annual rain | 16″ |
| Annual snow | 63″ |
Income and cost of living in Colorado
A look at major industries, average income, housing costs, and the overall cost of living gives you a clearer picture of how affordable and sustainable life will likely be in Colorado.
Knowing which industries boost the economy can help you evaluate job prospects in your field or foresee job market stability. If you’re thinking about renting or buying a home, housing costs are probably a major factor when deciding whether to move.
The cost of living index shows how much your money is worth compared to the national average. A lower index usually means daily expenses such as groceries, transportation, and housing are cheaper.
These numbers are more than just statistics. They’re practical tools that help you compare your current lifestyle to what’s possible in Colorado and make a confident, informed decision about your move.
The main economic industries in the state include:
- Real estate and rental and leasing ($74.1 billion)
- Professional and business services ($72.8 billion)
- Manufacturing ($63.3 billion)
- Finance and insurance ($47.8 billion)
- Information ($46.2 billion)
- Educational services, health care, and social assistance ($45.3 billion)
- Wholesale trade ($45 billion)
- Retail trade ($32 billion)
- Transportation and warehousing ($25.3 billion)
- Construction ($24.8 billion)
| Metric | Colorado |
|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,594 |
| Average home cost | $541,072 |
| Average income (per capita) | $87,598 |
| Cost of living index* | 91 |
| Unemployment rate | 4.1% |
| Average sales tax | Not available |
| State income tax | 5.49% |
*To figure out the cost of living in each state, there’s a 100-point index, known as the cost of living index. This metric starts with a baseline number of 100. States with a number below that are less expensive to live in while states with numbers higher than 100 are more expensive to live in.
Top schools in Colorado
If education influences your decision to move, a state’s schools reflect its career opportunities and community resources.
Whether you’re planning to go back to school yourself, have kids nearing graduation, or just want to live in a state with strong academic options, it’s worth checking out what Colorado has to offer.
Here are some of the top schools in Colorado:
- University of Colorado Boulder
- Colorado State University
- University of Denver
- United States Air Force Academy
- University of Colorado Denver
- University of Colorado Colorado Springs
- Colorado School of Mines
- University of Northern Colorado
- Colorado College
- Metropolitan State University of Denver
- Regis University
- Colorado Technical University
Finding the best moving company for your relocation to Colorado
We’ve reviewed hundreds of moving companies and worked directly with customers to identify the top movers across the country.
If you’re planning on moving to the Centennial State, here are the best moving companies to help you transport your belongings to your new home wherever you are headed from.
- Alabama to CO
- Arkansas to CO
- Arizona to CO
- California to CO
- Connecticut to CO
- Delaware to CO
- Florida to CO
- Georgia to CO
- Iowa to CO
- Idaho to CO
- Illinois to CO
- Indiana to CO
- Kansas to CO
- Kentucky to CO
- Louisiana to CO
- Massachusetts to CO
- Maryland to CO
- Maine to CO
- Michigan to CO
- Minnesota to CO
- Missouri to CO
- Mississippi to CO
- Montana to CO
- North Carolina to CO
- North Dakota to CO
- Nebraska to CO
- New Hampshire to CO
- New Jersey to CO
- New Mexico to CO
- Nevada to CO
- New York to CO
- Ohio to CO
- Oklahoma to CO
- Oregon to CO
- Pennsylvania to CO
- Rhode Island to CO
- South Carolina to CO
- South Dakota to CO
- Tennessee to CO
- Texas to CO
- Utah to CO
- Virginia to CO
- Vermont to CO
- Washington to CO
- Wisconsin to CO
- West Virginia to CO
- Wyoming to CO
Cost of moving to Colorado
Before you take the leap to Colorado, it’s a good idea to get a handle on moving costs. On average, hiring professional movers will run you about $131 per hour. The total cost depends on how much stuff you have and how far you’re moving. Cross-country moves, for example, will definitely hit your wallet harder than a quick hop across state lines.
The type of move you choose can make a big difference in cost, too.
To keep costs down, choose one of the best moving container companies. You do the packing and loading and they handle the driving for you, so it’s kind of like a middle ground between DIY and full-service.
Want to save even more? The most affordable option is to get a rental truck. With this options, you’ll do all of the heavy lifting, including packing, loading, driving, and unloading.
But if you’d rather not break a sweat, professional interstate movers can do all the work for you. Just keep in mind that this convenience comes at a price. Be sure to get quotes from several different movers to find one that fits your budget and moving needs.
| Company | Quote | Rating |
|---|---|---|
Safeway Moving
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Mayzlin Relocation
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BLVD Moving
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PODS
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American Van Lines
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Cost to bring your car to Colorado
Bringing a car with you? Use our car shipping calculator below to estimate how much it’ll cost to transport your vehicle to Colorado.
Colorado car insurance requirements
Colorado drivers license requirements
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