Alabama to Colorado Moving Guide
Updated June 7, 2025

Planning a 1,497 mile interstate move from Alabama to Colorado? This moving guide will help you compare living in Alabama vs Colorado across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like hot, humid summers vs cooler mountain summers), food & health (like Birmingham-style BBQ vs Green Chili), real estate & housing (antebellum, craftsman vs mountain, modern), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Colorado), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Birmingham-style BBQ and Fried Catfish, but get your taste buds ready for Green Chili & Bison Burgers
- Colorado housing costs are 143% more expensive than they are in Alabama
- Rent in Colorado is 37.48% more expensive than in Alabama
- Moving from Alabama to Colorado will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,500
- Our top recommended Alabama to Colorado movers is Movemasters, Inc.
Alabama to Colorado Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Alabama to Colorado
- Hot, humid summers
- Flat terrain
- Limited snow sports
- Higher humidity
- Cooler mountain summers
- Mountainous landscapes
- Abundant snow activities
- Dry mountain air
- Higher cost of living
- More laid-back demeanor
- More transient population
- Snowy winters
- Lower cost of living
- Southern hospitality
- Strong community feel
- Mild winters
Pros of moving from Alabama to Colorado
- Say goodbye to hot, humid summers and hello to cooler mountain summers
- Look forward to moving away from flat terrain and moving to Colorado with mountainous landscapes
- Swap the limited snow sports of Alabama for abundant snow activities in Colorado
- Get ready for dry mountain air in Colorado
Cons of moving from Alabama to Colorado
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the lower cost of living in Alabama to live with the higher cost of living in Colorado
- You'll lose out on the pro of southern hospitality and have to settle for the con of a more laid-back demeanor
- Time to bid farewell to the strong community feel and get used to a more transient population in Colorado
- Swap mild winters for snowy winters
Alabama vs. Colorado: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Alabama | Colorado |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Birmingham-style BBQ | Green Chili |
Most popular meat dish | Fried Catfish | Bison Burgers |
Most popular street food item | Conecuh Sausage Dog | Breakfast Burrito |
Most popular vegan food | Black-eyed Pea Hummus | Quinoa Salad |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± |
If you're moving from Alabama to Colorado, you will be trading the iconic Birmingham-style BBQ of Alabama for the equally delicious Green Chili of Colorado. And while the locals in Alabama rave about their flavorful Fried Catfish and sumptuous Conecuh Sausage Dog, Colorado residents know they have tasty Bison Burgers and Breakfast Burrito to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Black-eyed Pea Hummus they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Quinoa Salad of Colorado. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Alabama eateries like Sawβs BBQ, Highlands Bar and Grill, and Post Office Pies. After the boxes are unpacked in Colorado, don't wait too long before making your way to Colorado's acclaimed eateries like Frasca Food and Wine, Santa Fe Cookie Co., and Ophelia's Electric Soapbox.
When comparing lifestyles, Colorado shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Alabama. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Colorado compared to what you are used to in Alabama. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Colorado.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Alabama and Colorado
Comparison | Alabama | Colorado |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Antebellum, Craftsman | Mountain, Modern |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large yards, garages | Views, eco-friendly features |
- The Antebellum and Craftsman architecture that Alabama is known for will be replaced with the Mountain and Modern architecture typical of Colorado.
- Compared to Alabama's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and garages, Colorado real estate listings often highlight features like views and eco-friendly aspects.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Colorado is more walkable than Alabama.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Colorado is more bike-friendly than Alabama.
- Colorado has more of an urban feel than Alabama.
- Colorado housing costs are 143% more expensive than they are in Alabama, with a median home price of $549,126 compared to Alabamaβs $226,045.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Colorado have increased 40% compared to a 45% increase in Alabama.
- Rent in Colorado is 37.48% more expensive than in Alabama.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Alabama and Colorado
Comparison | Alabama | Colorado |
---|---|---|
Days of Sunshine per Year | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ |
Avg. Annual Humidity | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ |
Avg. UV Index | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ |
Natural Disasters | Hurricanes, Tornadoes | Snowstorms, Wildfires |
Air Quality | Moderate | Good to Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 90Β°F / 72Β°F | 85Β°F / 55Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 57Β°F / 36Β°F | 45Β°F / 18Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 58 inches | 17 inches |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 2 inches | 60 inches |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Alabama to Colorado. Colorado gets 15% more sunshine days than Alabama.
- Colorado has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Alabama.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and tornadoes in Alabama, but be on the lookout for potential snowstorms and wildfires in Colorado.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Colorado is 5 degrees colder than in Alabama.
- The average winter lows are 18 degrees colder than they are in Alabama.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Colorado. Colorado receives 41 fewer inches of rain compared to Alabama.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Alabama and Colorado
Comparison | Alabama | Colorado |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $59,674 | $89,302 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.2 | 98.3 |
State Income Tax | 5% | 4.63% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.41% | 0.51% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 9.22% | 7.65% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Education | Aerospace, Technology, Tourism |
Affluence | Modest | Prosperous |
Poverty | Prevalent | Low |
Homelessness | Moderate | Concerning |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Colorado tend to earn about 50% more than in Alabama
- The COLI in Colorado will be 8% higher than what you are used to living in Alabama
- The state income tax in Colorado is 4.63% compared to 5% in Alabama
- The affluence in Colorado is prosperous compared to modest in Alabama
- The poverty level is low in Colorado compared to prevalent in Alabama
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Alabama and concerning in Colorado
Political and Religious Climate in Alabama vs. Colorado
Comparison | Alabama | Colorado |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Conservative/Republican | Liberal/Democrat |
Local Politics | Strong state-level GOP influence | Mixed, with Democratic strongholds |
Religion | Highly religious, predominantly Christian | Less religious, diverse religious landscape |
- Alabama tends to lean Conservative/Republican in its political climate
- Colorado, on the other hand, is often described as Liberal/Democrat
- Colorado's religious environment can be described as less religious and a diverse religious landscape
- Alabama's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as highly religious and predominantly Christian
Education Guide When Moving from Alabama to Colorado
Comparison | Alabama | Colorado |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Alabama Auburn University University of South Alabama | University of Colorado Boulder Colorado State University University of Denver |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Mountain Brook Elementary (Mountain Brook) Vestavia Hills Elementary West (Vestavia Hills) Creekside Elementary (Harvest) | Bromwell Elementary (Denver) Cory Elementary (Denver) Parker Core Knowledge Charter School (Parker) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Mountain Brook Junior High (Mountain Brook) Liberty Park Middle School (Vestavia Hills) Pizitz Middle School (Vestavia Hills) | DSST: Stapleton Middle School (Denver) Challenge School (Denver) Summit Middle Charter School (Boulder) |
Top 3 High Schools | Loveless Academic Magnet Program High School (Montgomery) Mountain Brook High School (Mountain Brook) Vestavia Hills High School (Vestavia Hills) | Cherry Creek High School (Greenwood Village) Fairview High School (Boulder) Denver School of the Arts (Denver) |
Top 3 private high schools | Randolph School (Huntsville) The Altamont School (Birmingham) Indian Springs School (Indian Springs) | Kent Denver School (Englewood) Colorado Academy (Denver) The Colorado Springs School (Colorado Springs) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Altamont School (Birmingham) Indian Springs School (Indian Springs) Randolph School (Huntsville) | Colorado Academy (Denver) Kent Denver School (Englewood) Fountain Valley School of Colorado (Colorado Springs) |
Top 3 School Districts | Mountain Brook City Schools Vestavia Hills City Schools Madison City Schools | Cherry Creek School District Boulder Valley School District Douglas County School District |
How Much Do Alabama to Colorado Movers Cost?
Moving 1,497 miles from Alabama to Colorado will typically cost between $3,000 and $7,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,000 - $7,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 5-10 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: New Latitude Movers
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,051 | 300 ft3 | $6.84 |
1 Bedroom | $3,054 | 450 ft3 | $6.79 |
2 Bedrooms | $5,053 | 750 ft3 | $6.74 |
3 Bedrooms | $7,356 | 1100 ft3 | $6.69 |
4 Bedrooms | $10,620 | 1600 ft3 | $6.64 |
5+ Bedrooms | $11,857 | 1800 ft3 | $6.59 |
Top Alabama to Colorado Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Alabama to Colorado movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.