Colorado to Michigan Moving Guide
Updated June 9, 2025

Planning a 1,331 mile interstate move from Colorado to Michigan? This moving guide will help you compare living in Colorado vs Michigan across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high altitude vs lower elevation), food & health (like Rocky Mountain Oysters vs Pasties), real estate & housing (mountain rustic, modern vs colonial, 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 Pasties & Coney Island Hot Dog
- Michigan housing costs are 56% less expensive than they are in Colorado
- Rent in Michigan is 28.43% more affordable than in Colorado
- Moving from Colorado to Michigan will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,000
- Our top recommended Colorado to Michigan movers is Pro-Low Moving
Colorado to Michigan Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Colorado to Michigan
- High altitude
- More traffic
- Expensive real estate
- Dry air
- Limited water bodies
- Lower elevation
- Quieter roads
- Affordable housing
- Humid climate
- Great Lakes access
- Cloudier days
- Flat landscapes
- Limited skiing
- High humidity
- Economic fluctuations
- Sunny average
- Mountain views
- Outdoor activities
- Dry climate
- Charming cities
Pros of moving from Colorado to Michigan
- Say goodbye to high altitude and hello to lower elevation
- Look forward to moving away from more traffic and moving to Michigan with quieter roads
- Swap the expensive real estate of Colorado for affordable housing in Michigan
- Get ready for a humid climate in Michigan
Cons of moving from Colorado to Michigan
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from sunny averages in Colorado to live with cloudier days in Michigan
- You'll lose out on the pro of mountain views and have to settle for the con of flat landscapes
- Time to bid farewell to outdoor activities and get used to limited skiing in Michigan
- Swap a dry climate for high humidity
Colorado vs. Michigan: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Colorado | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Rocky Mountain Oysters | Pasties |
Most popular meat dish | Bison Burgers | Coney Island Hot Dog |
Most popular street food item | Tacos | Fried Fish |
Most popular vegan food | Quinoa Salad | Vegan Coney Dogs |
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 Michigan, you will be trading the iconic Rocky Mountain Oysters of Colorado for the equally delicious Pasties of Michigan. And while the locals in Colorado rave about their flavorful Bison Burgers and sumptuous Tacos, Michigan residents know they have tasty Coney Island Hot Dogs and Fried Fish 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 Vegan Coney Dogs of Michigan. 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 Beauregard's Saloon. After the boxes are unpacked in Michigan, don't wait too long before making your way to Michigan's acclaimed eateries like American Coney Island, Zingerman's Delicatessen, and Slows Bar BQ.
When comparing lifestyles, Michigan shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Colorado. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Michigan, compared to what you are used to in Colorado. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Michigan.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Colorado and Michigan
Comparison | Colorado | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Mountain Rustic, Modern | Colonial, Ranch |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Mountain views, Energy efficiency | Lakeside access, Large yards |
- The Mountain Rustic and Modern architecture that Colorado is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Ranch architecture typical of Michigan.
- Compared to Colorado's real estate listings that commonly reference mountain views and energy efficiency, Michigan real estate listings often highlight features like lakeside access and large yards.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Michigan is less walkable than Colorado.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike. Michigan is less bike-friendly than Colorado.
- Michigan has less of an urban feel than Colorado.
- Michigan housing costs are 56% less expensive than they are in Colorado, with a median home price of $239,770 compared to Coloradoβs $549,126.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Michigan have increased 45% compared to a 40% increase in Colorado.
- Rent in Michigan is 28.43% more affordable than in Colorado.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Colorado and Michigan
Comparison | Colorado | Michigan |
---|---|---|
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, Hail | Snowstorms, Tornadoes |
Air Quality | Good to Moderate | Good to Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F / 55Β°F | 81Β°F / 61Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 45Β°F / 17Β°F | 31Β°F / 17Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 15.6 | 32.8 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 60.3 | 60.66 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Colorado to Michigan. Michigan gets 31% fewer sunshine days than Colorado.
- Michigan 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 snowstorms and tornadoes in Michigan.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Michigan is 4 degrees colder than in Colorado.
- The average winter lows are 0 degrees colder than they are in Colorado.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Michigan. Michigan receives 17.2 more inches of rain compared to Colorado.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Colorado and Michigan
Comparison | Colorado | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $89,302 | $66,986 |
Cost of Living Index | 98.3 | 91.2 |
State Income Tax | 4.55% | 4.25% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.55% | 1.54% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 2.9% | 6% |
Top 3 Industries | Technology, Tourism, Aerospace | Automotive, Manufacturing, Agriculture |
Affluence | Prosperous | Moderate |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Manageable | Growing |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Michigan tend to earn about 25% less than in Colorado
- The COLI in Michigan will be 7% lower than what you are used to living in Colorado
- The state income tax in MI is 4.25% compared to 4.55% in CO
- The affluence in Michigan is moderate compared to prosperous in Colorado
- The poverty level is moderate in Michigan compared to low in Colorado
- In terms of homelessness, it is manageable in Colorado and growing in Michigan
Political and Religious Climate in Colorado vs. Michigan
Comparison | Colorado | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Democratic | Swing State |
Local Politics | Progressive in urban areas | Moderate with a mix of urban progressive and rural conservative areas |
Religion | Less religiously affiliated | More religious diversity, including Christianity, Islam, and others |
- Colorado tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
- Michigan, on the other hand, is often described as a swing state
- Michigan's religious environment can be described as having more religious diversity, including Christianity, Islam, and others
- Colorado's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as less religiously affiliated
Education Guide When Moving from Colorado to Michigan
Comparison | Colorado | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Colorado Boulder Colorado State University University of Denver | University of Michigan Michigan State University Wayne State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Bromwell Elementary - Denver Creekside Elementary - Boulder Steck Elementary - Denver | Bates Elementary - Dexter Musson Elementary - Rochester Wealthy Elementary - East Grand Rapids |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Summit Middle Charter - Boulder Challenger Middle - Colorado Springs Mountain Ridge Middle - Highlands Ranch | East Grand Rapids Middle - East Grand Rapids Boulan Park Middle - Troy Hillside Middle - Northville |
Top 3 High School Schools | Cherry Creek High - Greenwood Village Fairview High - Boulder Grandview High - Aurora | International Academy - Bloomfield Hills Troy High - Troy Northville High - Northville |
Top 3 private high schools | Kent Denver School - Englewood Colorado Academy - Denver Fountain Valley School - Colorado Springs | Cranbrook Schools - Bloomfield Hills Detroit Country Day School - Beverly Hills Greenhills School - Ann Arbor |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Colorado Academy - Denver Vail Mountain School - Vail Fountain Valley School - Colorado Springs | Cranbrook Schools - Bloomfield Hills Detroit Country Day School - Beverly Hills Roeper School - Birmingham |
Top 3 School Districts | Cherry Creek School District Boulder Valley School District Douglas County School District | East Grand Rapids Public Schools Bloomfield Hills Schools Okemos Public Schools |
How Much Do Colorado to Michigan Movers Cost?
Moving 1,331 miles from Colorado to Michigan 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: 3-10 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Pro-Low Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,957 | 300 ft3 | $6.52 |
1 Bedroom | $2,913 | 450 ft3 | $6.47 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,818 | 750 ft3 | $6.42 |
3 Bedrooms | $7,011 | 1100 ft3 | $6.37 |
4 Bedrooms | $10,118 | 1600 ft3 | $6.32 |
5+ Bedrooms | $11,292 | 1800 ft3 | $6.27 |
Top Colorado to Michigan Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Colorado to Michigan movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.