Factors affecting the cost of moving from WA to CO
There are many factors that influence
Washington moving costs.
The cost to move from Washington 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 Washington 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.
What to know before moving from WA to CO
If you’re moving to Colorado from Washington, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.
Cost of living: Washington vs. Colorado
|
Washington |
Colorado |
| Average rent cost |
$1,900 |
$1,594 |
| Average home cost |
$588,856 |
$541,072 |
| Average income (per capita) |
$90,325 |
$87,598 |
| Cost of Living Index |
115 |
91 |
| Unemployment rate |
4.8% |
4.1% |
| Average Sales Tax |
6.5% |
7.81% |
| State Income Tax |
0.0% |
5.49% |
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Rent is about 16% less expensive in Colorado than in Washington.
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Home prices are about 8% lower in Colorado than in Washington.
-
The average income is about 3% lower in Colorado than in Washington.
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Cost of living is 21% lower in Colorado than in Washington.
-
Colorado has a lower unemployment rate than Washington by about 15%.
-
Sales taxes are 20% higher in Colorado than in Washington.
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Income taxes are 5% higher in Colorado than in Washington.
How life is different in Colorado vs. Washington
|
Colorado |
Washington |
| Population |
5,877,610 |
7,812,880 |
| Political leaning |
Democrat 54-46 |
Democratic |
| Summer high |
86ºF |
79ºF |
| Winter low |
13ºF |
31ºF |
| Annual rain |
16" |
38" |
| Annual snow |
63" |
18" |
| Crime index |
36.4 |
37.32 |
-
The population of Colorado is approximately 25% lower than the population of Washington.
-
In the last presidential election, Colorado voted Democrat and Washington voted Democratic.
-
The average high in the summertime in Colorado is 86ºF
and in Washington, it’s 79ºF.
-
During the coldest part of the year, Colorado reaches the temperature of 13ºF
and Washington gets down to 31ºF.
-
You can expect about 16 inches of annual rainfall in Colorado versus 38 inches of rainfall in Washington.
-
In Colorado, it snows about 63 inches annually
versus 18 inches of snow in Washington.
-
Colorado has a lower crime rate than Washington with a crime index
of 36.4 vs. 37.32.
Comparing the pros of Washington vs. Colorado
Getting a fresh start in a new location is exciting. Here’s a side-by-side look at the perks of living in Colorado compared to Washington.
| Pros of living in Washington |
Pros of living in Colorado |
| Beautiful landscapes |
Ample economic opportunity |
| Ample economic opportunity |
Awesome snow recreational activities |
| High quality of life |
Quality healthcare |
| Bountiful recreational opportunities |
High quality of life |
| Delicious seafood |
Beautiful outdoors |
Comparing the cons of living in Washington vs. Colorado
Everything can’t be sunshine and rainbows all the time, no matter where you live.
Here are some things to be aware of when leaving Washington for Colorado.
| Cons of living in Washington |
Cons of living in Colorado |
| Constant rain |
Extreme weather |
| Bad traffic |
High cost of living |
| High cost of living |
Altitude sickness |
| High crime rate |
Overcrowding |
| Natural disasters |
Bad traffic |
Other things to consider for your Washington to Colorado move
- 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.
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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.
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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.
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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 Washington to Colorado?
Do movers transport your car from Washington to Colorado?
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 Washington to Colorado
separately through one of the top car shipping companies.
What are the benefits of moving from Washington to Colorado?
The main reasons people are moving from Washington 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 Washington or Colorado?
It is generally cheaper to live in Colorado than in Washington.
Housing
is more affordable in Colorado,
with average rent about 16% less and home prices 8.1% lower than in Washington.
Washington has no income tax.
How much should you make a year to live comfortably in Colorado?
You should make approximately $82,440 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in Colorado.
The cost of living in Colorado is approximately $3,235 per month for an individual and $7,638 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 Denver and Colorado Springs will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.
Helpful moving resources
Washington moving services
Popular Washington routes
Best overall value
