CA to CO Moving Specialists

California to Colorado Moving Guide

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Updated September 4, 2026

Planning a 1,123 mile interstate move from California to Colorado? This moving guide will help you compare living in California vs Colorado across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like sky-high housing costs vs more affordable homes), food & health (like Fish tacos vs Rocky Mountain Oysters), real estate & housing, weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes, politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Fish tacos and Tri-tip steak, but get your taste buds ready for Rocky Mountain Oysters & Bison burgers
  • Moving from California to Colorado will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500 see full breakdown
  • Our top recommended California to Colorado movers is Little Guy Big Truck Moving
California to Colorado featured image

Top California to Colorado Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best California to Colorado movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

TOP PICK
Little Guy Big Truck Moving featured image

Little Guy Big Truck Moving

Best moving company overall for California to Colorado

9.68/10
Exceptional
RUNNER-UP
OCD Moving Services LLC featured image

OCD Moving Services LLC

9.67/10
Exceptional
ALSO GREAT
Pure Moving featured image

Pure Moving

9.64/10
Exceptional

How Much Do California to Colorado Movers Cost?

Moving 1,123 miles from California to Colorado will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-7 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Little Guy Big Truck Moving
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,839300 ft3$6.13
1 Bedroom$2,736450 ft3$6.08
2 Bedrooms$4,523750 ft3$6.03
3 Bedrooms$6,5791100 ft3$5.98
4 Bedrooms$9,4891600 ft3$5.93
5+ Bedrooms$10,5851800 ft3$5.88

California to Colorado Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from California to Colorado

ConsCalifornia iconCalifornia
  • Sky-high housing costs
  • Heavy traffic congestion
  • Higher income taxes
  • Expensive electricity rates
  • Coastal summer fog
  • Earthquake risk
  • Parking headaches
  • Higher sales taxes
  • Crowded popular spots
  • Complex regulations
ProsColorado iconColorado
  • More affordable homes
  • Easier commutes
  • Lower flat tax
  • Cheaper energy bills
  • Sunny summer skies
  • Lower seismic risk
  • Easier parking
  • Lower sales taxes
  • Less crowded outdoors
  • Simpler red tape

Colorado iconColorado
  • Landlocked state
  • Colder, snowier winters
  • Lower pay scales
  • Fewer international routes
  • No ocean beaches
  • Shorter growing season
  • Smaller arts scene
  • High-altitude adjustment
  • Limited transit coverage
  • Fewer dining options
  • No surfing coastline
  • Smaller job market
California iconCalifornia
  • Ocean access
  • Mild coastal climate
  • Higher salaries
  • Global flight options
  • Iconic beaches
  • Year-round produce
  • Major entertainment hubs
  • Sea-level altitude
  • Extensive public transit
  • Broad international cuisine
  • Surfing and sailing
  • Big-city job networks

Pros of moving from California to Colorado

  • Say goodbye to sky-high housing costs and hello to more affordable homes
  • Look forward to moving away from heavy traffic congestion and moving to Colorado with easier commutes
  • Swap the higher income taxes of California for a lower flat tax in Colorado
  • Get ready for cheaper energy bills in Colorado

Cons of moving from California to Colorado

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from ocean access in California to live with a landlocked state in Colorado
  • You'll lose out on the pro of a mild coastal climate and have to settle for the con of colder, snowier winters
  • Time to bid farewell to higher salaries and get used to lower pay scales in Colorado
  • Swap global flight options for fewer international routes

California vs. Colorado: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonCaliforniaColorado
Most iconic local food itemFish tacosRocky Mountain Oysters
Most popular meat dishTri-tip steakBison burgers
Most popular street food itemTacosGreen Chili
Most popular vegan foodAvocado toastQuinoa salads
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Chez Panisse
  • The French Laundry
  • n/naka
  • Frasca Food and Wine
  • Beast + Bottle
  • Panzano
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 California to Colorado, you will be trading the iconic Fish Tacos of California for the equally delicious Rocky Mountain Oysters of Colorado. And while the locals in California rave about their flavorful Tri-Tip Steak and sumptuous Tacos, Colorado residents know they have tasty Bison Burgers and Green Chili to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Avocado Toast they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Quinoa Salads of Colorado. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic California eateries like Chez Panisse, The French Laundry, and n/naka. 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, Beast + Bottle, and Panzano.

When comparing lifestyles, Colorado shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than California. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Colorado compared to what you are used to in California. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Colorado.

Education Guide When Moving from California to Colorado

ComparisonCaliforniaColorado
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of California
Los Angeles; University of California
Berkeley; Stanford University
University of Colorado Boulder; Colorado State University; University of Denver
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsCoralwood Elementary School
San Francisco; Lakewood Elementary School
Sunnyvale; Mission San Jose Elementary
Fremont
Flagstaff Academy
Longmont; Peak to Peak Charter School
Lafayette; The Classical Academy
Colorado Springs
Top 3 Middle SchoolsPacific Collegiate School
Santa Cruz; Oxford Academy
Cypress; Redwood Middle School
Saratoga
Cherry Creek Charter Academy
Greenwood Village; Summit Middle Charter School
Boulder; Campus Middle School
Greenwood Village
Top 3 High SchoolsPalo Alto High School
Palo Alto; Henry M. Gunn High School
Palo Alto; Los Altos High School
Los Altos
Creek High School
Greenwood Village; Fairview High School
Boulder; Denver School of the Arts
Denver
Top 3 private high schoolsThe College Preparatory School
Oakland; Harvard-Westlake School
Los Angeles; Castilleja School
Palo Alto
Fountain Valley School of Colorado
Colorado Springs; Kent Denver School
Englewood; Colorado Academy
Denver
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsThe Harker School
San Jose; Marlborough School
Los Angeles; Windward School
Los Angeles
Dawson School
Lafayette; Colorado Academy
Denver; Kent Denver School
Englewood
Top 3 School DistrictsPalo Alto Unified School District; Fremont Union High School District; Saratoga Union School DistrictCherry Creek School District
Greenwood Village; Boulder Valley School District
Boulder; Littleton Public Schools
Littleton