Colorado to Minnesota Moving Guide
Updated June 5, 2025

Planning a 1,054 mile interstate move from Colorado to Minnesota? This moving guide will help you compare living in Colorado vs Minnesota across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like cost of living vs affordable housing), food & health (like Rocky Mountain Oysters vs Hotdish), real estate & housing (mountain and modern vs prairie and farmhouse), 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 Steaks, but get your taste buds ready for Hotdish & Walleye
- Minnesota housing costs are 40% less expensive than they are in Colorado
- Rent in Minnesota is 17.77% more affordable than in Colorado
- Moving from Colorado to Minnesota will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
- Our top recommended Colorado to Minnesota movers is Movemasters, Inc.
Colorado to Minnesota Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Colorado to Minnesota
- Cost of living
- Wildfire risk
- Altitude adjustment
- Busy ski resorts
- Traffic congestion
- Affordable housing
- Less risk of wildfires
- Low-altitude ease
- Peaceful winter activities
- Smoother commutes
- Flat landscapes
- Long winters
- Fewer hiking trails
- Less diversity
- Limited ski slopes
- Scenic mountains
- Sunny weather
- Outdoor adventures
- Cultural diversity
- Skiing options
Pros of moving from Colorado to Minnesota
- Say goodbye to the cost of living and hello to affordable housing
- Look forward to moving away from wildfire risk and moving to Minnesota with less risk of wildfires
- Swap the altitude adjustment of Colorado for low-altitude ease in Minnesota
- Get ready for peaceful winter activities in Minnesota
Cons of moving from Colorado to Minnesota
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the scenic mountains in Colorado to live with flat landscapes in Minnesota
- You'll lose out on the pro of sunny weather and have to settle for the con of long winters
- Time to bid farewell to outdoor adventures and get used to fewer hiking trails in Minnesota
- Swap cultural diversity for less diversity
Colorado vs. Minnesota: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Colorado | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Rocky Mountain Oysters | Hotdish |
Most popular meat dish | Bison Steaks | Walleye |
Most popular street food item | Tacos | Juicy Lucy Burger |
Most popular vegan food | Quinoa Salad | Vegan Wild Rice Soup |
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 Minnesota, you will be trading the iconic Rocky Mountain Oysters of Colorado for the equally delicious Hotdish of Minnesota. And while the locals in Colorado rave about their flavorful Bison Steaks and sumptuous Tacos, Minnesota residents know they have tasty Walleye and Juicy Lucy Burger 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 Wild Rice Soup of Minnesota. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Colorado eateries like Casa Bonita, Frasca Food and Wine, and The Buckhorn Exchange. After the boxes are unpacked in Minnesota, don't wait too long before making your way to Minnesota's acclaimed eateries like Matt's Bar, Spoon and Stable, and The Salty Tart.
When comparing lifestyles, Minnesota shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Colorado. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Minnesota compared to what you are used to in Colorado. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Minnesota.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Colorado and Minnesota
Comparison | Colorado | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Mountain and Modern | Prairie and Farmhouse |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Mountain views, Outdoor space | Lakeside access, Energy efficiency |
- The Mountain and Modern architecture that Colorado is known for will be replaced with the Prairie and Farmhouse architecture typical of Minnesota.
- Compared to Colorado's real estate listings that commonly reference mountain views and outdoor space, Minnesota real estate listings often highlight features like lakeside access and energy efficiency.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Minnesota is less walkable than Colorado.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Minnesota is less bike-friendly than Colorado.
- Minnesota has less of an urban feel than Colorado.
- Minnesota housing costs are 40% less expensive than they are in Colorado, with a median home price of $331,117 compared to Coloradoβs $549,126.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Minnesota have increased by 33% compared to a 40% increase in Colorado.
- Rent in Minnesota is 17.77% more affordable than in Colorado.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Colorado and Minnesota
Comparison | Colorado | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
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 | Blizzards, tornadoes |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 86/55 | 83/63 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 45/18 | 23/-3 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 15.6 | 30.3 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 57 | 54 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Colorado to Minnesota. Minnesota gets 19% fewer sunshine days than Colorado.
- Minnesota 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 blizzards and tornadoes in Minnesota.
- The average summer high temperature in Minnesota is 3 degrees colder than in Colorado.
- The average winter lows are 21 degrees colder in Minnesota than they are in Colorado.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Minnesota as it receives 14.7 more inches of rain compared to Colorado.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Colorado and Minnesota
Comparison | Colorado | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $89,302 | $82,338 |
Cost of Living Index | 98.3 | 98.75 |
State Income Tax | 4.55 | 5.35 |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.49 | 1.08 |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7.65 | 7.49 |
Top 3 Industries | Aerospace, Tech, Tourism | Healthcare, Manufacturing, Agriculture |
Affluence | High | Moderate |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Moderate | Lower |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Minnesota tend to earn about 8% less than in Colorado
- The COLI in Minnesota is 0% higher than what you are used to living in Colorado
- The state income tax in MN is 5.35 compared to 4.55 in CO
- The affluence in Minnesota is moderate compared to high in Colorado
- The poverty level is moderate in Minnesota compared to low in Colorado
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Colorado and lower in Minnesota
Political and Religious Climate in Colorado vs. Minnesota
Comparison | Colorado | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Purple, trending blue in recent elections | Traditionally blue, with a mix of rural red areas |
Local Politics | Focus on environmental policies and progressive social issues | Emphasis on education, health care, and environmental conservation |
Religion | Less religious than average; diverse religious communities | Slightly more religious; prominent Catholic and Lutheran communities |
- Colorado tends to lean purple, trending blue in its political climate
- Minnesota, on the other hand, is often described as traditionally blue with a mix of rural red areas
- Minnesota's religious environment can be described as slightly more religious with prominent Catholic and Lutheran communities
- Colorado's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as less religious than average with diverse religious communities
Education Guide When Moving from Colorado to Minnesota
Comparison | Colorado | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | 1. University of Colorado Boulder 2. Colorado State University 3. University of Denver | 1. University of Minnesota Twin Cities 2. St. Olaf College 3. Carleton College |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | 1. Cory Elementary School Denver 2. Parker Core Knowledge Charter School Parker 3. Slavens K-8 School Denver | 1. St. Croix Preparatory Academy Lower Stillwater 2. Scenic Heights Elementary Minnetonka 3. Deephaven Elementary Minnetonka |
Top 3 Middle Schools | 1. Kinard Core Knowledge Middle School Fort Collins 2. McAuliffe International Denver 3. DSST: Stapleton Middle School Denver | 1. Minnetonka Middle School East Minnetonka 2. Wayzata Central Middle School Plymouth 3. St. Croix Preparatory Academy Middle Stillwater |
Top 3 High School Schools | 1. Cherry Creek High School Greenwood Village 2. Fairview High School Boulder 3. D'Evelyn Senior High School Denver | 1. Edina High School Edina 2. Minnetonka Senior High Minnetonka 3. Wayzata High Plymouth |
Top 3 private high schools | 1. Kent Denver School Englewood 2. The Colorado Springs School Colorado Springs 3. Fountain Valley School of Colorado Colorado Springs | 1. The Blake School Minneapolis 2. Breck School Golden Valley 3. St. Paul Academy and Summit School St. Paul |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | 1. Colorado Academy Denver 2. Valor Christian High School Highlands Ranch 3. Dawson School Lafayette | 1. Minnehaha Academy Minneapolis 2. Marshall School Duluth 3. Shattuck-St. Mary's School Faribault |
Top 3 School Districts | 1. Cherry Creek School District Greenwood Village 2. Boulder Valley School District Boulder 3. Douglas County School District Castle Rock | 1. Minnetonka Public School District Minnetonka 2. Edina Public School District Edina 3. Wayzata Public School District Plymouth |
How Much Do Colorado to Minnesota Movers Cost?
Moving 1,054 miles from Colorado to Minnesota will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 4.5-9.5 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Metro Movers
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,800 | 300 ft3 | $6.00 |
1 Bedroom | $2,678 | 450 ft3 | $5.95 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,425 | 750 ft3 | $5.90 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,435 | 1100 ft3 | $5.85 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,280 | 1600 ft3 | $5.80 |
5+ Bedrooms | $10,350 | 1800 ft3 | $5.75 |
Top Colorado to Minnesota Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Colorado to Minnesota movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Movemasters, Inc.
Best moving company overall for Colorado to Minnesota