Colorado to Arkansas Moving Guide
Updated June 11, 2025

Planning a 1,047 mile interstate move from Colorado to Arkansas? This moving guide will help you compare living in Colorado vs Arkansas across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs lower cost of living), food & health (like Rocky Mountain Oysters vs Fried Catfish), real estate & housing (mountain modern vs traditional and craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Colorado), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Rocky Mountain Oysters and Bison Burgers, but get your taste buds ready for Fried Catfish & Smoked Pork Ribs
- Arkansas housing costs are 63% less expensive than they are in Colorado
- Rent in Arkansas is 35.06% more affordable than rent in Colorado
- Moving from Colorado to Arkansas will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
- Our top recommended Colorado to Arkansas movers is Movemasters, Inc.
Colorado to Arkansas Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Colorado to Arkansas
- High cost of living
- Harsh winters
- Tourist congestion
- High altitude issues
- Lower cost of living
- Milder winters
- Less crowded attractions
- Sea-level comfort
- Fewer mountain trails
- Fewer festivals
- More flat terrain
- No skiing opportunities
- Outdoor recreation
- Cultural events
- Diverse landscape
- Renowned ski resorts
Pros of moving from Colorado to Arkansas
- Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to the lower cost of living
- Look forward to moving away from harsh winters and moving to Arkansas with milder winters
- Swap the tourist congestion of Colorado for less crowded attractions in Arkansas
- Get ready for sea-level comfort in Arkansas
Cons of moving from Colorado to Arkansas
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from outdoor recreation in Colorado to live with fewer mountain trails in Arkansas
- You'll lose out on the pro of cultural events and have to settle for the con of fewer festivals
- Time to bid farewell to the diverse landscape and get used to more flat terrain in Arkansas
- Swap renowned ski resorts for no skiing opportunities
Colorado vs. Arkansas: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Colorado | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Rocky Mountain Oysters | Fried Catfish |
Most popular meat dish | Bison Burgers | Smoked Pork Ribs |
Most popular street food item | Tacos | BBQ Nachos |
Most popular vegan food | Quinoa Salad | Black Bean Burgers |
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 Colorado to Arkansas, you will be trading the iconic Rocky Mountain Oysters of Colorado for the equally delicious Fried Catfish of Arkansas. And while the locals in Colorado rave about their flavorful Bison Burgers and sumptuous Tacos, Arkansas residents know they have tasty Smoked Pork Ribs and BBQ Nachos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Quinoa Salad they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Black Bean Burgers of Arkansas. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Colorado eateries like The Rock Rest Lodge, The Buckhorn Exchange, and Frasca Food and Wine. After the boxes are unpacked in Arkansas, don't wait too long before making your way to Arkansas' acclaimed eateries like McClard's Bar-B-Q, The Southern Grist, and Doe's Eat Place.
When comparing lifestyles, Arkansas shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Colorado. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Arkansas compared to what you are used to in Colorado. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Arkansas.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Colorado and Arkansas
Comparison | Colorado | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Mountain Modern | Traditional and Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Mountain views, outdoor spaces | Large lots, proximity to nature |
- The Mountain Modern architecture that Colorado is known for will be replaced with the Traditional and Craftsman architecture typical of Arkansas.
- Compared to Colorado's real estate listings that commonly reference mountain views and outdoor spaces, Arkansas real estate listings often highlight features like large lots and proximity to nature.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away, as Arkansas is less walkable than Colorado.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike, as Arkansas is less bike-friendly than Colorado.
- Arkansas has less of an urban feel than Colorado.
- Arkansas housing costs are 63% less expensive than they are in Colorado, with a median home price of $203,305 compared to Coloradoβs $549,126.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Arkansas have increased by 41% compared to a 40% increase in Colorado.
- Rent in Arkansas is 35.06% more affordable than rent in Colorado.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Colorado and Arkansas
Comparison | Colorado | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
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 | Wildfires, Blizzards | Tornadoes, Floods |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 86Β°F / 56Β°F | 92Β°F / 72Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 45Β°F / 18Β°F | 50Β°F / 30Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 15.6 | 50.6 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 60.4 | 5.2 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Colorado to Arkansas; Arkansas gets 11% fewer sunshine days than Colorado.
- Arkansas has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Colorado.
- Say goodbye to the possible wildfires and blizzards in Colorado, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and floods in Arkansas.
- Get ready for warmer summers; the average summer high temperature in Arkansas is 6 degrees warmer than in Colorado.
- The average winter lows are 12 degrees warmer than they are in Colorado.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Arkansas; Arkansas receives 35 more inches of rain compared to Colorado.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Colorado and Arkansas
Comparison | Colorado | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $89,302 | $55,432 |
Cost of Living Index | 98.3 | 90.5 |
State Income Tax | 4.55 | 4.90 |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.51 | 0.61 |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7.65 | 9.51 |
Top 3 Industries | Technology, Aerospace, Agriculture | Retail, Agriculture, Manufacturing |
Affluence | High | Medium |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Moderate | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Arkansas tend to earn about 38% less than those in Colorado
- The COLI in Arkansas will be 8% lower than what you are used to living in Colorado
- The state income tax in AR is 4.90% compared to 4.55% in CO
- The affluence in Arkansas is medium compared to high in Colorado
- The poverty level is moderate in Arkansas compared to low in Colorado
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Colorado and low in Arkansas
Political and Religious Climate in Colorado vs. Arkansas
Comparison | Colorado | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Leans Democratic | Leans Republican |
Local Politics | Progressive urban centers | Conservative rural areas |
Religion | Mixed, with a notable non-religious population | Strongly Christian, particularly Baptist (Southern Baptist Convention) |
- Colorado tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
- Arkansas, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Republican
- Arkansas' religious environment can be described as strongly Christian, particularly Baptist (Southern Baptist Convention)
- Colorado's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as mixed, with a notable non-religious population
Education Guide When Moving from Colorado to Arkansas
Comparison | Colorado | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Colorado Boulder Colorado State University University of Denver | University of Arkansas Arkansas State University University of Central Arkansas |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Bromwell Elementary - Denver Creekside Elementary - Boulder Parker Core Knowledge Charter School - Parker | Forest Park Elementary - Little Rock Vandergriff Elementary - Fayetteville Jefferson Elementary - Little Rock |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Lesher Middle School - Fort Collins Summit Middle Charter School - Boulder Mountain Ridge Middle School - Highlands Ranch | Lisa Academy North Middle - Sherwood Woodland Junior High School - Fayetteville Fulbright Junior High - Bentonville |
Top 3 High Schools | Cherry Creek High School - Greenwood Village Fairview High School - Boulder Denver School of the Arts - Denver | Haas Hall Academy - Fayetteville Bentonville High School - Bentonville Little Rock Central High School - Little Rock |
Top 3 private high schools | Colorado Academy - Denver Kent Denver School - Englewood The Colorado Springs School - Colorado Springs | Pulaski Academy - Little Rock Little Rock Christian Academy - Little Rock Shiloh Christian School - Springdale |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Colorado Springs Christian Schools - Colorado Springs Denver Jewish Day School - Denver Valor Christian High School - Highlands Ranch | Subiaco Academy - Subiaco The New School - Fayetteville Episcopal Collegiate School - Little Rock |
Top 3 School Districts | Boulder Valley School District Cherry Creek School District Douglas County School District | Fayetteville School District Bentonville School District Rogers School District |
How Much Do Colorado to Arkansas Movers Cost?
Moving 1,047 miles from Colorado to Arkansas 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: 2-9 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: B2 Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,796 | 300 ft3 | $5.99 |
1 Bedroom | $2,672 | 450 ft3 | $5.94 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,415 | 750 ft3 | $5.89 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,421 | 1100 ft3 | $5.84 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,259 | 1600 ft3 | $5.79 |
5+ Bedrooms | $10,326 | 1800 ft3 | $5.74 |
Top Colorado to Arkansas Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Colorado to Arkansas movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.