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Colorado to Michigan Moving Guide

Updated June 9, 2025

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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

ConsColorado iconColorado
  • High altitude
  • More traffic
  • Expensive real estate
  • Dry air
  • Limited water bodies
ProsMichigan iconMichigan
  • Lower elevation
  • Quieter roads
  • Affordable housing
  • Humid climate
  • Great Lakes access

Michigan iconMichigan
  • Cloudier days
  • Flat landscapes
  • Limited skiing
  • High humidity
  • Economic fluctuations
Colorado iconColorado
  • 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

ComparisonColoradoMichigan
Most iconic local food itemRocky Mountain OystersPasties
Most popular meat dishBison BurgersConey Island Hot Dog
Most popular street food itemTacosFried Fish
Most popular vegan foodQuinoa SaladVegan Coney Dogs
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • The Rock Rest Lodge
  • The Buckhorn Exchange
  • Beauregard's Saloon
  • American Coney Island
  • Zingerman's Delicatessen
  • Slows Bar BQ
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 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

ComparisonColoradoMichigan
Typical Architecture StyleMountain Rustic, ModernColonial, Ranch
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 listingMountain views, Energy efficiencyLakeside 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 Colorado’s $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

ComparisonColoradoMichigan
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, HailSnowstorms, Tornadoes
Air QualityGood to ModerateGood to Moderate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)85Β°F / 55Β°F81Β°F / 61Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)45Β°F / 17Β°F31Β°F / 17Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)15.632.8
Annual Snowfall (Inches)60.360.66
  • 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

ComparisonColoradoMichigan
Avg. Household Income$89,302$66,986
Cost of Living Index98.391.2
State Income Tax4.55%4.25%
Avg. Property Tax0.55%1.54%
Avg. Sales Tax2.9%6%
Top 3 IndustriesTechnology, Tourism, AerospaceAutomotive, Manufacturing, Agriculture
AffluenceProsperousModerate
PovertyLowModerate
HomelessnessManageableGrowing
  • 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

ComparisonColoradoMichigan
Political Make-upLean DemocraticSwing State
Local PoliticsProgressive in urban areasModerate with a mix of urban progressive and rural conservative areas
ReligionLess religiously affiliatedMore 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

ComparisonColoradoMichigan
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 SchoolsBromwell Elementary - Denver
Creekside Elementary - Boulder
Steck Elementary - Denver
Bates Elementary - Dexter
Musson Elementary - Rochester
Wealthy Elementary - East Grand Rapids
Top 3 Middle SchoolsSummit 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 SchoolsCherry Creek High - Greenwood Village
Fairview High - Boulder
Grandview High - Aurora
International Academy - Bloomfield Hills
Troy High - Troy
Northville High - Northville
Top 3 private high schoolsKent 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 schoolsColorado 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 DistrictsCherry 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 - $7,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 3-10 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Pro-Low Moving
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,957300 ft3$6.52
1 Bedroom$2,913450 ft3$6.47
2 Bedrooms$4,818750 ft3$6.42
3 Bedrooms$7,0111100 ft3$6.37
4 Bedrooms$10,1181600 ft3$6.32
5+ Bedrooms$11,2921800 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.

TOP PICK
Pro-Low Moving featured image

Pro-Low Moving

Best moving company overall for Colorado to Michigan

9.69/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Movemasters, Inc. featured image

Movemasters, Inc.

9.59/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Smooth Movers featured image

Smooth Movers

9.52/10
ExceptionalView details