Colorado to Idaho Moving Guide
Updated June 16, 2025

Planning a 845 mile interstate move from Colorado to Idaho? This moving guide will help you compare living in Colorado vs Idaho across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high-altitude effects vs gentler altitude), food & health (like Rocky Mountain Oysters vs Idaho Potatoes), real estate & housing (mountain and modern vs ranch 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 Idaho Potatoes & Boise River Steelhead Trout
- Idaho housing costs are 18% less expensive than they are in Colorado
- Rent in Idaho is 20.29% more affordable than in Colorado
- Moving from Colorado to Idaho will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
- Our top recommended Colorado to Idaho movers is Movemasters, Inc.
Colorado to Idaho Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Colorado to Idaho
- High-altitude effects
- Costly housing market
- Tourism congestion
- Harsh winters
- High traffic
- Gentler altitude
- More affordable housing
- Less crowded
- Milder winters
- Less traffic
- Fewer cultural events
- Smaller ski areas
- Fewer job opportunities
- Limited dining options
- Limited public transportation
- Vibrant culture
- Renowned ski resorts
- Rich job market
- Diverse restaurants
- Extensive public transit
Pros of moving from Colorado to Idaho
- Say goodbye to high-altitude effects and hello to gentler altitude
- Look forward to moving away from the costly housing market and moving to Idaho with more affordable housing
- Swap the tourism congestion of Colorado for less crowded areas in Idaho
- Get ready for milder winters in Idaho
Cons of moving from Colorado to Idaho
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the vibrant culture in Colorado to live with fewer cultural events in Idaho
- You'll lose out on the pro of renowned ski resorts and have to settle for the con of smaller ski areas
- Time to bid farewell to the rich job market and get used to fewer job opportunities in Idaho
- Swap diverse restaurants for limited dining options
Colorado vs. Idaho: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Colorado | Idaho |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Rocky Mountain Oysters | Idaho Potatoes |
Most popular meat dish | Bison Burgers | Boise River Steelhead Trout |
Most popular street food item | Green Chili | Finger Steaks |
Most popular vegan food | Quinoa Salad | Lentil Stew |
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 Idaho, you will be trading the iconic Rocky Mountain Oysters of Colorado for the equally delicious Idaho Potatoes of Idaho. And while the locals in Colorado rave about their flavorful Bison Burgers and sumptuous Green Chili, Idaho residents know they have tasty Boise River Steelhead Trout and Finger Steaks 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 Lentil Stew of Idaho. In the days before your move, make sure you make one final trip to iconic Colorado eateries like The Buckhorn Exchange, Root Down, and Frasca Food and Wine. After the boxes are unpacked in Idaho, don't wait too long before making your way to Idaho's acclaimed eateries like Chandlerβs Steakhouse, Boise Fry Company, and Culinaria.
When comparing lifestyles, Idaho shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Colorado. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Idaho compared to what you are used to in Colorado. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Idaho.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Colorado and Idaho
Comparison | Colorado | Idaho |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Mountain and Modern | Ranch and Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Mountain views, proximity to outdoor activities | Large lots, family-friendly |
- The Mountain and Modern architecture that Colorado is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Craftsman architecture typical of Idaho.
- Compared to Colorado's real estate listings that commonly reference mountain views and proximity to outdoor activities, Idaho real estate listings often highlight features like large lots and family-friendliness.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Idaho is less walkable than Colorado.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Idaho is less bike-friendly than Colorado.
- Idaho has less of an urban feel than Colorado.
- Idaho housing costs are 18% less expensive than they are in Colorado, with a median home price of $451,298 compared to Coloradoβs $549,126.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Idaho have increased by 69% compared to a 40% increase in Colorado.
- Rent in Idaho is 20.29% more affordable than in Colorado.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Colorado and Idaho
Comparison | Colorado | Idaho |
---|---|---|
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, Floods | Wildfires, Earthquakes |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F / 55Β°F | 85Β°F / 50Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 45Β°F / 17Β°F | 37Β°F / 14Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 15.6 | 18.9 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 60 | 50 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Colorado to Idaho. Idaho gets 16% fewer sunshine days than Colorado.
- Idaho has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Colorado.
- Say goodbye to the possible wildfires and floods in Colorado, but be on the lookout for potential wildfires and earthquakes in Idaho.
- The average summer high temperature in Idaho is the same as Colorado.
- The average winter lows are 3 degrees colder than they are in Colorado.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Idaho. Idaho receives 3.3 more inches of rain compared to Colorado.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Colorado and Idaho
Comparison | Colorado | Idaho |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $89,302 | $72,785 |
Cost of Living Index | 98.3 | 91.5 |
State Income Tax | 4.55% | 5.8% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.49% | 0.68% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 2.9% | 6% |
Top 3 Industries | Aerospace, Technology, Agriculture | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Tourism |
Affluence | High | Moderate |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Moderate | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Idaho tend to earn about 18% less than in Colorado
- The COLI in Idaho will be 7% lower than what you are used to living in Colorado
- The state income tax in ID is 5.8% compared to 4.55% in CO
- The affluence in Idaho is moderate compared to high in Colorado
- The poverty level is moderate in Idaho compared to low in Colorado
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Colorado and low in Idaho
Political and Religious Climate in Colorado vs. Idaho
Comparison | Colorado | Idaho |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Mixed, leans Democratic | Conservative, leans Republican |
Local Politics | Diverse, urban areas more liberal | More uniform, with strong conservative rural areas |
Religion | Less religiously affiliated | Higher religious affiliation, predominantly Christian |
- Colorado tends to lean mixed and leans Democratic in its political climate
- Idaho, on the other hand, is often described as conservative and leans Republican
- Idaho's religious environment can be described as having higher religious affiliation and predominantly Christian
- Colorado's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as less religiously affiliated
Education Guide When Moving from Colorado to Idaho
Comparison | Colorado | Idaho |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Colorado Boulder Colorado State University University of Denver | Boise State University University of Idaho Idaho State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Bromwell Elementary - Denver Cory Elementary - Denver Parker Core Knowledge - Parker | White Pine Elementary - Boise Cecil D. Andrus Elementary - Eagle Ponderosa Elementary - Meridian |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Lesher Middle School - Fort Collins Krakow Middle School - Denver Summit Middle Charter - Boulder | North Junior High School - Boise Heritage Middle School - Meridian Lakeside Middle School - Plummer |
Top 3 High School Schools | Cherry Creek High School - Greenwood Village Fairview High School - Boulder Denver School of the Arts - Denver | Boise High School - Boise McCall-Donnelly High School - McCall Timberline High School - Boise |
Top 3 private high schools | Colorado Academy - Denver The Kent Denver School - Englewood Fountain Valley School of Colorado - Colorado Springs | The Ambrose School - Meridian Bishop Kelly High School - Boise Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy - Coeur d'Alene |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Denver Waldorf School - Denver Vail Mountain School - Vail Colorado Springs School - Colorado Springs | Riverstone International School - Boise The Sage School - Hailey Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy - Coeur d'Alene |
Top 3 School Districts | Cherry Creek School District Boulder Valley School District Douglas County School District | Boise School District Blaine County School District Coeur d'Alene School District |
How Much Do Colorado to Idaho Movers Cost?
Moving 845 miles from Colorado to Idaho will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-10 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Valley Custom Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,682 | 300 ft3 | $5.61 |
1 Bedroom | $2,500 | 450 ft3 | $5.56 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,129 | 750 ft3 | $5.51 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,001 | 1100 ft3 | $5.46 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,648 | 1600 ft3 | $5.41 |
5+ Bedrooms | $9,639 | 1800 ft3 | $5.36 |
Top Colorado to Idaho Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Colorado to Idaho movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.