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Arizona to Colorado Moving Guide

Updated June 20, 2025

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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

ConsArizona iconArizona
  • Extreme summer heat
  • Limited winter sports
  • Desert landscapes
  • High electricity bills
  • Dust storms
ProsColorado iconColorado
  • Cooler summer temperatures
  • Excellent skiing options
  • Diverse outdoor scenery
  • Lower utility costs
  • Fewer severe weather events

Colorado iconColorado
  • Higher living expenses
  • Longer winters
  • Variable climate changes
  • Potential for traffic jams
  • Adjustment period
Arizona iconArizona
  • 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

ComparisonArizonaColorado
Most iconic local food itemChimichangaRocky Mountain Oysters
Most popular meat dishCarne AsadaBison Burgers
Most popular street food itemSonoran Hot DogDenver Omelette Burrito
Most popular vegan foodCactus SaladQuinoa Salad
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
    • Pizzeria Bianco
    • Elote Cafe
    • Cowboy Ciao
Fitness/Health ConscientiousnessπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

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

ComparisonArizonaColorado
Typical Architecture StyleSpanish Colonial, Pueblo RevivalCraftsman, Mountain Rustic
WalkabilityπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘Ÿ
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban LifestyleπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈ
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingSwimming pools, desert landscapingMountain 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 Arizona’s $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

ComparisonArizonaColorado
Days of Sunshine per Yearβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈ
Avg. Annual HumidityπŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦
Avg. UV IndexπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈ
Natural DisastersHeatwaves, Dust StormsBlizzards, Wildfires
Air QualityVariableGenerally Good
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)104Β°F/81Β°F85Β°F/55Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)68Β°F/46Β°F45Β°F/18Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)1315.6
Annual Snowfall (Inches)0.360
  • 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

ComparisonArizonaColorado
Avg. Household Income$74,568$89,302
Cost of Living Index101.298.3
State Income Tax2.59-4.5%4.55%
Avg. Property Tax0.62%0.55%
Avg. Sales Tax8.4%7.65%
Top 3 IndustriesAerospace, Tourism, AgricultureAerospace, IT, Tourism
AffluenceModerateHigh
PovertyModerateLow
HomelessnessModerateModerate
  • 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

ComparisonArizonaColorado
Political Make-upMixed, with a slight Republican lean in recent yearsLeans Democrat, especially in urban areas
Local PoliticsSignificant focus on immigration and border policiesEnvironmental policies and land use are major issues
ReligionChristianity is predominant, but with a significant number of non-religious residentsLess 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

ComparisonArizonaColorado
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 SchoolsBasis 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 SchoolsBasis 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 SchoolsBasis 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 SchoolsBrophy 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 SchoolsPhoenix 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 DistrictsScottsdale Unified School District; Chandler Unified School District; Gilbert Public SchoolsBoulder 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 - $5,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 3-10 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Sterling Interstate LLC
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,562300 ft3$5.21
1 Bedroom$2,321450 ft3$5.16
2 Bedrooms$3,831750 ft3$5.11
3 Bedrooms$5,5641100 ft3$5.06
4 Bedrooms$8,0131600 ft3$5.01
5+ Bedrooms$8,9251800 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.

TOP PICK
Sterling Interstate LLC featured image

Sterling Interstate LLC

Best moving company overall for Arizona to Colorado

9.76/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Movemasters, Inc. featured image

Movemasters, Inc.

9.59/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Smooth Movers featured image

Smooth Movers

9.52/10
ExceptionalView details