Colorado to Arizona Moving Guide
Updated June 22, 2025

Planning a 635 mile interstate move from Colorado to Arizona? This moving guide will help you compare living in Colorado vs Arizona across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs mild winters), food & health (like Rocky Mountain Oysters vs Sonoran Hot Dog), real estate & housing (mountain and modern vs spanish colonial and ranch), 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 Sonoran Hot Dog & Carne Asada
- Arizona housing costs are 22% less expensive than they are in Colorado
- Rent in Arizona is 5.57% more affordable than in Colorado
- Moving from Colorado to Arizona will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,500
- Our top recommended Colorado to Arizona movers is Sterling Interstate LLC
Colorado to Arizona Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Colorado to Arizona
- Harsh winters
- High cost of living
- Traffic congestion
- Can be crowded
- Limited desert scenery
- Mild winters
- Lower cost of living
- Less traffic
- Spacious environment
- Beautiful desert landscapes
- Hot summers
- Fewer local breweries
- No skiing options
- Less diversity in climate
- Lack of lush greenery
- Cool summers
- Rich in craft breweries
- Famous ski resorts
- Diverse climactic regions
- Dense pine forests
Pros of moving from Colorado to Arizona
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to mild winters
- Look forward to moving away from the high cost of living and moving to Arizona with a lower cost of living
- Swap the traffic congestion of Colorado for less traffic in Arizona
- Get ready for a spacious environment in Arizona
Cons of moving from Colorado to Arizona
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the cool summers in Colorado to live with the hot summers in Arizona
- You'll lose out on the pro of being rich in craft breweries and have to settle with the con of fewer local breweries
- Time to bid farewell to the famous ski resorts and get used to no skiing options in Arizona
- Swap the diverse climactic regions for less diversity in climate
Colorado vs. Arizona: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Colorado | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Rocky Mountain Oysters | Sonoran Hot Dog |
Most popular meat dish | Bison Burgers | Carne Asada |
Most popular street food item | Breakfast Burrito | Tacos |
Most popular vegan food | Quinoa Salad | Jackfruit Tacos |
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 Arizona, you will be trading the iconic Rocky Mountain Oysters of Colorado for the equally delicious Sonoran Hot Dog of Arizona. And while the locals in Colorado rave about their flavorful Bison Burgers and sumptuous Breakfast Burrito, Arizona residents know they have tasty Carne Asada and Tacos 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 Jackfruit Tacos of Arizona. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Colorado eateries like Casa Bonita, Frasca Food and Wine, and The Buckhorn Exchange. After the boxes are unpacked in Arizona, don't wait too long before making your way to Arizona's acclaimed eateries like Pizzeria Bianco, El Charro CafΓ©, and Durantβs.
When comparing lifestyles, Arizona shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Colorado. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Arizona compared to what you are used to in Colorado. Also, the overall foodie scene is similarly bustling in Arizona.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Colorado and Arizona
Comparison | Colorado | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Mountain and Modern | Spanish Colonial and Ranch |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Mountain views, sustainable features | Desert landscapes, solar panels |
- The Mountain and Modern architecture that Colorado is known for will be replaced with the Spanish Colonial and Ranch architecture typical of Arizona.
- Compared to Colorado's real estate listings that commonly reference mountain views and sustainable features, Arizona real estate listings often highlight features like desert landscapes and solar panels.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Arizona is less walkable than Colorado.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Arizona is less bike-friendly than Colorado.
- Arizona has less of an urban feel than Colorado.
- Arizona housing costs are 22% less expensive than they are in Colorado, with a median home price of $430,827 compared to Coloradoβs $549,126.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Arizona have increased by 63% compared to a 40% increase in Colorado.
- Rent in Arizona is 5.57% more affordable than in Colorado.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Colorado and Arizona
Comparison | Colorado | Arizona |
---|---|---|
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 | Snowstorms, Wildfires | Heatwaves, Dust Storms |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F / 56Β°F | 105Β°F / 84Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 45Β°F / 18Β°F | 67Β°F / 46Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 15.6 | 8.04 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 60.5 | 0 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Colorado to Arizona. Arizona gets 22% more sunshine days than Colorado.
- Arizona has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Colorado.
- Say goodbye to possible snowstorms and wildfires in Colorado, but be on the lookout for potential heatwaves and dust storms in Arizona.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Arizona is 20 degrees warmer than in Colorado.
- The average winter lows are 28 degrees warmer than they are in Colorado.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Arizona. Arizona receives 7.6 fewer inches of rain compared to Colorado.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Colorado and Arizona
Comparison | Colorado | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $89,302 | $74,568 |
Cost of Living Index | 98.3 | 101.2 |
State Income Tax | 4.55% | 2.59% - 4.50% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.55% | 0.66% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 2.90% | 5.60% |
Top 3 Industries | Aerospace, Tech, Agriculture | Tech, Tourism, Agriculture |
Affluence | Moderate | Varied |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Noticeable | Growing |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Arizona tend to earn about 16% less than in Colorado
- The COLI in Arizona will be 3% higher than what you are used to living in Colorado
- The state income tax in AZ is 2.59% to 4.50% compared to 4.55% in CO
- The affluence in Arizona is varied compared to moderate affluence in Colorado
- The poverty level is moderate in Arizona compared to low poverty in Colorado
- In terms of homelessness, it is noticeable in Colorado and growing in Arizona
Political and Religious Climate in Colorado vs. Arizona
Comparison | Colorado | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Purple state, recently leaning more Democratic | Traditionally Republican, but becoming a battleground state |
Local Politics | Liberal cities like Boulder and Denver; conservative rural areas | Liberal strongholds in Tucson and parts of Phoenix; conservative rural counties |
Religion | Less religious overall; Christianity is predominant followed by non-affiliated | Largely Christian, with a significant Catholic presence; growing number of non-affiliated persons |
- Colorado tends to lean purple state, recently leaning more Democratic in its political climate
- Arizona, on the other hand, is often described as traditionally Republican but is becoming a battleground state
- Arizona's religious environment can be described as largely Christian with a significant Catholic presence and a growing number of non-affiliated persons
- Colorado's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as less religious overall; Christianity is predominant, followed by non-affiliated
Education Guide When Moving from Colorado to Arizona
Comparison | Colorado | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Colorado Boulder Colorado State University University of Denver | University of Arizona Arizona State University Northern Arizona University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Bromwell Elementary - Denver, Steck Elementary - Denver, Parker Core Knowledge Charter School - Parker | Basis Ahwatukee - Phoenix, Knox Gifted Academy - Chandler, Archway Classical Academy - Scottsdale |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Kruse Elementary School - Fort Collins, DSST: Stapleton Middle School - Denver, Lesher Middle School - Fort Collins | Basis Chandler - Chandler, Prep Digital Academy - Online, Archway Veritas - Phoenix |
Top 3 High Schools | Cherry Creek High School - Greenwood Village, Grandview High School - Aurora, Liberty Common Charter School - Fort Collins | Basis Scottsdale - Scottsdale, Basis Tucson North - Tucson, University High School - Tucson |
Top 3 private high schools | The Colorado Springs School - Colorado Springs, Colorado Academy - Denver, St. Mary's Academy - Englewood | Brophy College Preparatory - Phoenix, The Gregory School - Tucson, Phoenix Country Day School - Paradise Valley |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Graland Country Day School - Denver, Vail Mountain School - Vail, Fountain Valley School of Colorado - Colorado Springs | Rancho Solano Preparatory School - Scottsdale, Tesseract School - Phoenix, Veritas Preparatory Academy - Phoenix |
Top 3 School Districts | Cherry Creek School District, Douglas County School District, Boulder Valley School District | Scottsdale Unified School District, Chandler Unified School District, Paradise Valley Unified School District |
How Much Do Colorado to Arizona Movers Cost?
Moving 635 miles from Colorado to Arizona 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 Colorado to Arizona Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Colorado to Arizona movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Sterling Interstate LLC
Best moving company overall for Colorado to Arizona