Colorado to Kentucky Moving Guide
Updated June 14, 2025

Planning a 1,271 mile interstate move from Colorado to Kentucky? This moving guide will help you compare living in Colorado vs Kentucky across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high altitude vs lower elevation), food & health (like Rocky Mountain Oysters vs Kentucky Hot Brown), real estate & housing (mountain rustic, modern vs colonial, 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 Kentucky Hot Brown & Fried Chicken
- Kentucky housing costs are 63% less expensive than they are in Colorado
- Rent in Kentucky is 35.40% more affordable than in Colorado
- Moving from Colorado to Kentucky will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,000
- Our top recommended Colorado to Kentucky movers is Movemasters, Inc.
Colorado to Kentucky Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Colorado to Kentucky
- High altitude
- Expensive cost of living
- Snowstorms
- Tourism crowds
- Thin air
- Lower elevation
- Affordable housing
- Mild winters
- Quieter pace
- Breathable air
- Rolling hills
- Limited diversity
- Fewer adventures
- Traditional lifestyle
- Limited cultural events
- Mountain views
- Diverse culture
- Outdoor activities
- Innovative cities
- Art scene
Pros of moving from Colorado to Kentucky
- Say goodbye to high altitude and hello to lower elevation
- Look forward to moving away from the expensive cost of living and moving to Kentucky with affordable housing
- Swap the snowstorms of Colorado for mild winters in Kentucky
- Get ready for a quieter pace in Kentucky
Cons of moving from Colorado to Kentucky
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from mountain views in Colorado to live with rolling hills in Kentucky
- You'll lose out on the pro of diverse culture and have to settle for the con of limited diversity
- Time to bid farewell to outdoor activities and get used to fewer adventures in Kentucky
- Swap innovative cities for a traditional lifestyle
Colorado vs. Kentucky: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Colorado | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Rocky Mountain Oysters | Kentucky Hot Brown |
Most popular meat dish | Bison Burgers | Fried Chicken |
Most popular street food item | Tacos | Barbecue Pork Sandwiches |
Most popular vegan food | Quinoa Salad | Seitan Steak |
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 Kentucky, you will be trading the iconic Rocky Mountain Oysters of Colorado for the equally delicious Kentucky Hot Brown of Kentucky. And while the locals in Colorado rave about their flavorful Bison Burgers and sumptuous Tacos, Kentucky residents know they have tasty Fried Chicken and Barbecue Pork Sandwiches 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 Seitan Steak of Kentucky. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Colorado eateries like Flagstaff House Restaurant, Frasca Food and Wine, and Snooze, an A.M. Eatery. After the boxes are unpacked in Kentucky, don't wait too long before making your way to Kentucky's acclaimed eateries like 610 Magnolia, Proof on Main, and Corbett's An American Place.
When comparing lifestyles, Kentucky shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Colorado. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Kentucky compared to what you are used to in Colorado. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Kentucky.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Colorado and Kentucky
Comparison | Colorado | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Mountain Rustic, Modern | Colonial, Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Mountain views, Open floor plans | Large yards, Proximity to nature |
- The Mountain Rustic and Modern architecture that Colorado is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Craftsman architecture typical of Kentucky.
- Compared to Colorado's real estate listings that commonly reference mountain views and open floor plans, Kentucky real estate listings often highlight features like large yards and proximity to nature.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Kentucky is less walkable than Colorado.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Kentucky is less bike-friendly than Colorado.
- Kentucky has less of an urban feel than Colorado.
- Kentucky housing costs are 63% less expensive than they are in Colorado, with a median home price of $201,332 compared to Coloradoβs $549,126.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Kentucky have increased by 47% compared to a 40% increase in Colorado.
- Rent in Kentucky is 35.40% more affordable than in Colorado.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Colorado and Kentucky
Comparison | Colorado | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
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, Snowstorms | Tornados, Floods |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F / 55Β°F | 87Β°F / 66Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 45Β°F / 18Β°F | 44Β°F / 27Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 15.6 | 48.9 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 53.8 | 10.8 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Colorado to Kentucky. Kentucky gets 20% fewer sunshine days than Colorado.
- Kentucky has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Colorado.
- Say goodbye to the possible wildfires and snowstorms in Colorado, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and floods in Kentucky.
- The average summer high temperature in Kentucky is 2 degrees warmer than in Colorado.
- The average winter lows are 9 degrees warmer than they are in Colorado.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Kentucky. Kentucky receives 33.3 more inches of rain compared to Colorado.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Colorado and Kentucky
Comparison | Colorado | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $89,302 | $59,341 |
Cost of Living Index | 98.3 | 87.8 |
State Income Tax | 4.63% | 5% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.55% | 0.83% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 2.9% | 6% |
Top 3 Industries | Aerospace, Tech, Agriculture | Manufacturing, Agriculture, Energy |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Moderate | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Kentucky tend to earn about 34% less than in Colorado
- The COLI in Kentucky will be 11% lower than what you are used to living in Colorado
- The state income tax in KY is 5% compared to 4.63% in CO
- The affluence in Kentucky is moderate compared to moderate in Colorado
- The poverty level is moderate in Kentucky compared to low in Colorado
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Colorado and low in Kentucky
Political and Religious Climate in Colorado vs. Kentucky
Comparison | Colorado | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Moderately liberal | Conservatively inclined |
Local Politics | Mix of Democratic and Republican, with a trend towards progressive policies in urban areas | Primarily Republican, especially in rural areas |
Religion | Less religious, diverse beliefs | Highly religious, predominantly Christian |
- Colorado tends to lean moderately liberal in its political climate
- Kentucky, on the other hand, is often described as conservatively inclined
- Kentucky's religious environment can be described as highly religious and predominantly Christian
- Colorado's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as less religious with diverse beliefs
Education Guide When Moving from Colorado to Kentucky
Comparison | Colorado | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Colorado Boulder Colorado State University University of Denver | University of Kentucky University of Louisville Western Kentucky University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Bromwell Elementary School (Denver) Bear Creek Elementary School (Boulder) Creekside Elementary School (Boulder) | Greathouse/Shryock Traditional Elementary School (Louisville) Rosa Parks Elementary School (Lexington) Stopher Elementary School (Louisville) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Kinard Core Knowledge Middle School (Fort Collins) Summit Middle Charter School (Boulder) Denver School of the Arts (Denver) | DuPont Manual High School (Louisville) Beechwood High School (Fort Mitchell) Highlands High School (Fort Thomas) |
Top 3 High School Schools | Cherry Creek High School (Greenwood Village) Fairview High School (Boulder) Denver School of the Arts (Denver) | DuPont Manual High School (Louisville) Beechwood High School (Fort Mitchell) Highlands High School (Fort Thomas) |
Top 3 private high schools | Kent Denver School (Englewood) Colorado Academy (Denver) The Denver Waldorf School (Denver) | Sacred Heart Academy (Louisville) Louisville Collegiate School (Louisville) Kentucky Country Day School (Louisville) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Colorado Springs School (Colorado Springs) Vail Mountain School (Vail) Fountain Valley School of Colorado (Colorado Springs) | Sayer School (Lexington) Louisville Collegiate School (Louisville) Kentucky Country Day School (Louisville) |
Top 3 School Districts | Boulder Valley School District Cherry Creek School District Douglas County School District | Oldham County Schools Fort Thomas Independent Schools Beechwood Independent School District |
How Much Do Colorado to Kentucky Movers Cost?
Moving 1,271 miles from Colorado to Kentucky will typically cost between $3,000 and $7,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,000 - $7,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-8.5 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Smooth Move Relocation Services
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,923 | 300 ft3 | $6.41 |
1 Bedroom | $2,862 | 450 ft3 | $6.36 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,733 | 750 ft3 | $6.31 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,886 | 1100 ft3 | $6.26 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,936 | 1600 ft3 | $6.21 |
5+ Bedrooms | $11,088 | 1800 ft3 | $6.16 |
Top Colorado to Kentucky Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Colorado to Kentucky movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.