Movers

Colorado to DC Moving Guide

Updated June 24, 2025

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Planning a 1,721 mile interstate move from Colorado to DC? This moving guide will help you compare living in Colorado vs DC across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high altitude vs sea level), food & health (like Rocky Mountain Oysters vs Half-Smoke), real estate & housing (mountain modern, ranch vs federal, victorian), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in DC), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Rocky Mountain Oysters and Bison Burgers, but get your taste buds ready for Half-Smoke & Mumbo Sauce Wings
  • D.C. housing costs are 13% more expensive than they are in Colorado
  • Rent in D.C. is 18.40% more expensive than in Colorado
  • Moving from Colorado to DC will cost on average between $2,000 - $8,000
  • Our top recommended Colorado to DC movers is Bookstore Movers

Colorado to DC Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Colorado to DC

ConsColorado iconColorado
  • High altitude
  • Limited job market
  • Snowy winters
  • Rural areas
  • Wildfire risks
ProsDC iconDC
  • Sea level
  • Diverse career opportunities
  • Milder winters
  • Urban amenities
  • Less natural disaster risk

DC iconDC
  • Flat landscape
  • Limited hiking spots
  • High cost of living
  • Fast-paced lifestyle
  • Congested traffic
Colorado iconColorado
  • Scenic mountains
  • Outdoor activities
  • Low cost of living
  • Laid-back lifestyle
  • Less traffic

Pros of moving from Colorado to DC

  • Say goodbye to high altitude and hello to sea level
  • Look forward to moving away from a limited job market and moving to DC with diverse career opportunities
  • Swap the snowy winters of Colorado for milder winters in DC
  • Get ready for urban amenities in DC

Cons of moving from Colorado to DC

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the scenic mountains in Colorado to live with the flat landscape in DC
  • You'll lose out on the pro of outdoor activities and have to settle for the con of limited hiking spots
  • Time to bid farewell to the low cost of living and get used to the high cost of living in DC
  • Swap the laid-back lifestyle for the fast-paced lifestyle

Colorado vs. DC: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonColoradoDC
Most iconic local food itemRocky Mountain OystersHalf-Smoke
Most popular meat dishBison BurgersMumbo Sauce Wings
Most popular street food itemBreakfast BurritosKorean Tacos
Most popular vegan foodQuinoa SaladChickpea Bowls
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Ben's Chili Bowl
  • Rosa's Thai Cafe
  • Zaytinya
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 Colorado to DC, you will be trading the iconic Rocky Mountain Oysters of Colorado for the equally delicious Half-Smoke of DC. And while the locals in Colorado rave about their flavorful Bison Burgers and sumptuous Breakfast Burritos, DC residents know they have tasty Mumbo Sauce Wings and Korean 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 Chickpea Bowls of DC. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Colorado eateries like The Buckhorn Exchange, Beau Jo’s Pizza, and The Sink. After the boxes are unpacked in DC, don't wait too long before making your way to DC's acclaimed eateries like Ben's Chili Bowl, Rosa's Thai Cafe, and Zaytinya.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Colorado and DC

ComparisonColoradoDC
Typical Architecture StyleMountain Modern, RanchFederal, Victorian
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 listingViews, Open Floor PlanHistoric Details, Proximity to Metro
  • The Mountain Modern and Ranch architecture that Colorado is known for will be replaced with the Federal and Victorian architecture typical of D.C.
  • Compared to Colorado's real estate listings that commonly reference views and open floor plans, D.C. real estate listings often highlight features like historic details and proximity to the metro.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. D.C. is more walkable than Colorado.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. D.C. is more bike-friendly than Colorado.
  • D.C. has more of an urban feel than Colorado.
  • D.C. housing costs are 13% more expensive than they are in Colorado, with a median home price of $619,320 compared to Colorado’s $549,126.
  • Over the prior five years, home prices in D.C. have increased by 8% compared to a 40% increase in Colorado.
  • Rent in D.C. is 18.40% more expensive than in Colorado.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Colorado and DC

ComparisonColoradoDC
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 DisastersWildfires, HailThunderstorms, Hurricanes
Air QualityGoodVariable
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)85Β°F / 55Β°F89Β°F / 71Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)45Β°F / 18Β°F47Β°F / 28Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)15.640.74
Annual Snowfall (Inches)53.815.4
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from Colorado to DC. DC gets 17% fewer sunshine days than Colorado.
  • DC has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Colorado.
  • Say goodbye to the possible wildfires and hail in Colorado, but be on the lookout for potential thunderstorms and hurricanes in DC.
  • Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in DC is 4 degrees warmer than in Colorado.
  • The average winter lows are 10 degrees warmer than they are in Colorado.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in DC. DC receives 25.1 more inches of rain compared to Colorado.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Colorado and DC

ComparisonColoradoDC
Avg. Household Income$89,302$101,027
Cost of Living Index98.3140.1
State Income Tax4.55%10.75%
Avg. Property Tax0.54%0.56%
Avg. Sales Tax7.65%6.00%
Top 3 IndustriesAerospace, Agriculture, TechnologyGovernment, Education, Professional Services
AffluenceProsperousAffluent
PovertyModerateLow
HomelessnessNoticeableVisible
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in DC tend to earn about 13% more than those in Colorado
  • The COLI in DC is 43% higher than what you are used to living in Colorado
  • The state income tax in DC is 10.75% compared to 4.55% in CO
  • The affluence in DC is affluent compared to prosperous in Colorado
  • The poverty level is low in DC compared to moderate in Colorado
  • In terms of homelessness, it is noticeable in Colorado and visible in DC

Political and Religious Climate in Colorado vs. DC

ComparisonColoradoDC
Political Make-upPurple state with a mix of red and blue areasHeavily Democratic
Local PoliticsVaries significantly from county to countyLocal politics are heavily focused on federal government impacts
ReligionMixed, with a significant proportion of unaffiliated individualsDiverse, but with a high number of unaffiliated individuals
  • Colorado tends to lean purple state with a mix of red and blue areas in its political climate
  • DC, on the other hand, is often described as heavily Democratic
  • DC's religious environment can be described as diverse, but with a high number of unaffiliated individuals
  • Colorado's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as mixed, with a significant proportion of unaffiliated individuals

Education Guide When Moving from Colorado to DC

ComparisonColoradoDC
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Colorado Boulder
Colorado State University
University of Denver
Georgetown University
George Washington University
American University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsBromwell Elementary
Denver; Cory Elementary
Denver; Parker Core Knowledge
Parker
Janney Elementary
Washington; Mann Elementary
Washington; Lafayette Elementary
Washington
Top 3 Middle SchoolsKRUSE Elementary
Pueblo; Denver School of the Arts
Denver; CHALLENGER Middle School
Colorado Springs
Deal Middle School
Washington; Hardy Middle School
Washington; Eliot-Hine Middle School
Washington
Top 3 High School SchoolsCherry Creek High School
Greenwood Village; Fairview High School
Boulder; Grandview High School
Aurora
School Without Walls High School
Washington; Banneker High School
Washington; Wilson High School
Washington
Top 3 private high schoolsColorado Academy
Denver; Kent Denver School
Englewood; The Vanguard School
Colorado Springs
Georgetown Preparatory School
North Bethesda; Sidwell Friends School
Washington; St. Albans School
Washington
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsThe Colorado Springs School
Colorado Springs; Dawson School
Lafayette; Fountain Valley School
Colorado Springs
Georgetown Day School
Washington; Maret School
Washington; Sidwell Friends School
Washington
Top 3 School DistrictsCherry Creek School District
Douglas County School District
Boulder Valley School District
District of Columbia Public Schools

How Much Do Colorado to DC Movers Cost?

Moving 1,721 miles from Colorado to DC will typically cost between $3,000 and $8,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $3,000 - $8,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-8.5 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Mic's Moving
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$2,178300 ft3$7.26
1 Bedroom$3,245450 ft3$7.21
2 Bedrooms$5,370750 ft3$7.16
3 Bedrooms$7,8221100 ft3$7.11
4 Bedrooms$11,2971600 ft3$7.06
5+ Bedrooms$12,6191800 ft3$7.01

Top Colorado to DC Movers

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

TOP PICK
Bookstore Movers featured image

Bookstore Movers

Best moving company overall for Colorado to DC

9.60/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Mic's Moving featured image

Mic's Moving

9.60/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Movemasters, Inc. featured image

Movemasters, Inc.

9.59/10
ExceptionalView details