Arizona to Colorado Moving Guide
Updated June 20, 2025

Planning a 635 mile interstate move from Arizona to Colorado? This moving guide will help you compare living in Arizona vs Colorado across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like extreme summer heat vs cooler summer temperatures), food & health (like Chimichanga vs Rocky Mountain Oysters), real estate & housing (spanish colonial, pueblo revival vs craftsman, mountain rustic), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Colorado), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Chimichanga and Carne Asada, but get your taste buds ready for Rocky Mountain Oysters & Bison Burgers
- Colorado housing costs are 27% more expensive than they are in Arizona
- Rent in Colorado is 5.90% more expensive than in Arizona
- Moving from Arizona to Colorado will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,500
- Our top recommended Arizona to Colorado movers is Sterling Interstate LLC
Arizona to Colorado Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Arizona to Colorado
- Extreme summer heat
- Limited winter sports
- Desert landscapes
- High electricity bills
- Dust storms
- Cooler summer temperatures
- Excellent skiing options
- Diverse outdoor scenery
- Lower utility costs
- Fewer severe weather events
- Higher living expenses
- Longer winters
- Variable climate changes
- Potential for traffic jams
- Adjustment period
- Lower cost of living
- Year-round sunshine
- Desert beauty
- Lower traffic congestion
- Familiarity
Pros of moving from Arizona to Colorado
- Say goodbye to extreme summer heat and hello to cooler summer temperatures
- Look forward to moving away from limited winter sports and moving to Colorado with excellent skiing options
- Swap the desert landscapes of Arizona for diverse outdoor scenery in Colorado
- Get ready for lower utility costs in Colorado
Cons of moving from Arizona to Colorado
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the lower cost of living in Arizona to live with the higher living expenses in Colorado
- You'll lose out on the pro of year-round sunshine and have to settle for the con of longer winters
- Time to bid farewell to desert beauty and get used to variable climate changes in Colorado
- Swap lower traffic congestion for the potential for traffic jams
Arizona vs. Colorado: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Arizona | Colorado |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Chimichanga | Rocky Mountain Oysters |
Most popular meat dish | Carne Asada | Bison Burgers |
Most popular street food item | Sonoran Hot Dog | Denver Omelette Burrito |
Most popular vegan food | Cactus Salad | 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 Arizona to Colorado, you will be trading the iconic Chimichanga of Arizona for the equally delicious Rocky Mountain Oysters of Colorado. And while the locals in Arizona rave about their flavorful Carne Asada and sumptuous Sonoran Hot Dog, Colorado residents know they have tasty Bison Burgers and Denver Omelette Burrito to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Cactus Salad 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 Arizona eateries like Pizzeria Bianco, Elote Cafe, and Cowboy Ciao. After the boxes are unpacked in Colorado, don't wait too long before making your way to Colorado's acclaimed eateries like The Buckhorn Exchange, Beau Jo's Pizza, and Original Pancake House.
When comparing lifestyles, Colorado shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Arizona. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Colorado, compared to what you are used to in Arizona. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Colorado.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Arizona and Colorado
Comparison | Arizona | Colorado |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Spanish Colonial, Pueblo Revival | Craftsman, Mountain Rustic |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Swimming pools, desert landscaping | Mountain views, proximity to nature trails |
- The Spanish Colonial and Pueblo Revival architecture that Arizona is known for will be replaced with the Craftsman and Mountain Rustic architecture typical of Colorado.
- Compared to Arizona's real estate listings that commonly reference swimming pools and desert landscaping, Colorado real estate listings often highlight features like mountain views and proximity to nature trails.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Colorado is more walkable than Arizona.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Colorado is more bike-friendly than Arizona.
- Colorado has more of an urban feel than Arizona.
- Colorado housing costs are 27% more expensive than they are in Arizona, with a median home price of $549,126 compared to Arizonaβs $430,827.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Colorado have increased by 40% compared to a 63% increase in Arizona.
- Rent in Colorado is 5.90% more expensive than in Arizona.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Arizona and Colorado
Comparison | Arizona | 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 | Heatwaves, Dust Storms | Blizzards, Wildfires |
Air Quality | Variable | Generally Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 104Β°F/81Β°F | 85Β°F/55Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 68Β°F/46Β°F | 45Β°F/18Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 13 | 15.6 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 0.3 | 60 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Arizona to Colorado. Colorado gets 14% fewer sunshine days than Arizona.
- Colorado has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Arizona.
- Say goodbye to the possible heatwaves and dust storms in Arizona, but be on the lookout for potential blizzards and wildfires in Colorado.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Colorado is 19 degrees colder than in Arizona.
- The average winter lows are 28 degrees colder than they are in Arizona.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Colorado. Colorado receives 2.6 more inches of rain compared to Arizona.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Arizona and Colorado
Comparison | Arizona | Colorado |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $74,568 | $89,302 |
Cost of Living Index | 101.2 | 98.3 |
State Income Tax | 2.59-4.5% | 4.55% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.62% | 0.55% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 8.4% | 7.65% |
Top 3 Industries | Aerospace, Tourism, Agriculture | Aerospace, IT, Tourism |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Moderate | Low |
Homelessness | Moderate | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Colorado tend to earn about 20% more than those in Arizona
- The COLI in Colorado is 3% lower than what you are used to living in Arizona
- The state income tax in Colorado is 4.55% compared to 2.59-4.5% in Arizona
- The affluence in Colorado is high compared to moderate in Arizona
- The poverty level is low in Colorado compared to moderate in Arizona
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Arizona and moderate in Colorado
Political and Religious Climate in Arizona vs. Colorado
Comparison | Arizona | Colorado |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Mixed, with a slight Republican lean in recent years | Leans Democrat, especially in urban areas |
Local Politics | Significant focus on immigration and border policies | Environmental policies and land use are major issues |
Religion | Christianity is predominant, but with a significant number of non-religious residents | Less religiously affiliated, with a notable Buddhist and Hindu communities |
- Arizona tends to lean mixed with a slight Republican lean in its political climate
- Colorado, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Democrat, especially in urban areas
- Colorado's religious environment can be described as less religiously affiliated with notable Buddhist and Hindu communities
- Arizona's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christianity being predominant, but with a significant number of non-religious residents
Education Guide When Moving from Arizona to Colorado
Comparison | Arizona | Colorado |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Arizona Arizona State University Northern Arizona University | University of Colorado Boulder Colorado State University University of Denver |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Basis Scottsdale Scottsdale; Knox Gifted Academy Chandler; Basis Oro Valley Oro Valley | Cory Elementary School Denver; Bear Creek Elementary School Boulder; Parker Core Knowledge Charter School Parker |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Basis Chandler Chandler; Gililland Middle School Tempe; Basis Tucson North Tucson | DSST: Stapleton Middle School Denver; Kinard Core Knowledge Middle School Fort Collins; Summit Middle Charter School Boulder |
Top 3 High Schools | Basis Scottsdale Scottsdale; Basis Chandler Chandler; Basis Oro Valley Oro Valley | Cherry Creek High School Greenwood Village; Fairview High School Boulder; D'Evelyn Junior/Senior High School Denver |
Top 3 Private High Schools | Brophy College Preparatory Phoenix; Xavier College Preparatory Phoenix; The Gregory School Tucson | Kent Denver School Englewood; Colorado Academy Denver; The Fountain Valley School of Colorado Colorado Springs |
Top 3 Private K-12 Schools | Phoenix Country Day School Paradise Valley; The Gregory School Tucson; Rancho Solano Preparatory School Scottsdale | Colorado Academy Denver; Fountain Valley School of Colorado Colorado Springs; Vail Mountain School Vail |
Top 3 School Districts | Scottsdale Unified School District; Chandler Unified School District; Gilbert Public Schools | Boulder Valley School District; Cherry Creek School District; Littleton Public Schools |
How Much Do Arizona to Colorado Movers Cost?
Moving 635 miles from Arizona to Colorado will typically cost between $2,500 and $5,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $5,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 3-10 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Sterling Interstate LLC
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,562 | 300 ft3 | $5.21 |
1 Bedroom | $2,321 | 450 ft3 | $5.16 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,831 | 750 ft3 | $5.11 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,564 | 1100 ft3 | $5.06 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,013 | 1600 ft3 | $5.01 |
5+ Bedrooms | $8,925 | 1800 ft3 | $4.96 |
Top Arizona to Colorado Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Arizona to Colorado movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Sterling Interstate LLC
Best moving company overall for Arizona to Colorado