Colorado to Montana Moving Guide
Updated June 21, 2025

Planning a 780 mile interstate move from Colorado to Montana? This moving guide will help you compare living in Colorado vs Montana across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs lower housing costs), food & health (like Rocky Mountain Oysters vs Bison burgers), real estate & housing (modern and mountain craftsman vs rustic and ranch-style), 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 Elk Steak, but get your taste buds ready for Bison burgers & Beef Steak
- Montana housing costs are 17% less expensive than they are in Colorado
- Rent in Montana is 30.46% more affordable than in Colorado
- Moving from Colorado to Montana will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
- Our top recommended Colorado to Montana movers is Movemasters, Inc.
Colorado to Montana Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Colorado to Montana
- High cost of living
- Traffic congestion
- Resort town crowds
- Dense urban areas
- Lower housing costs
- Less crowded roads
- Less touristy
- Spacious landscapes
- Longer, harsher winters
- Fewer restaurant options
- Fewer job opportunities
- More homogenous communities
- Sunny climate
- Popular dining scene
- Strong economy
- Diverse culture
Pros of moving from Colorado to Montana
- Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to lower housing costs
- Look forward to moving away from traffic congestion and moving to Montana with less crowded roads
- Swap the resort town crowds of Colorado for less touristy areas in Montana
- Get ready for spacious landscapes in Montana
Cons of moving from Colorado to Montana
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the sunny climate in Colorado to live with longer, harsher winters in Montana
- You'll lose out on the pro of the popular dining scene and have to settle for the con of fewer restaurant options
- Time to bid farewell to the strong economy and get used to fewer job opportunities in Montana
- Swap the diverse culture for more homogenous communities
Colorado vs. Montana: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Colorado | Montana |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Rocky Mountain Oysters | Bison burgers |
Most popular meat dish | Elk Steak | Beef Steak |
Most popular street food item | Tacos | Pasties |
Most popular vegan food | Jackfruit Tacos | Lentil Burgers |
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 Montana, you will be trading the iconic Rocky Mountain Oysters of Colorado for the equally delicious Bison burgers of Montana. And while the locals in Colorado rave about their flavorful Elk Steak and sumptuous Tacos, Montana residents know they have tasty Beef Steak and Pasties to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Jackfruit Tacos they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Lentil Burgers of Montana. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Colorado eateries like The Original Pancake House, Beast + Bottle, and Frasca Food and Wine. After the boxes are unpacked in Montana, don't wait too long before making your way to Montana's acclaimed eateries like Γberbrew, Logjam Presents, and Bozeman Soup Company.
When comparing lifestyles, Montana shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Colorado. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Montana compared to what you are used to in Colorado. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Montana.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Colorado and Montana
Comparison | Colorado | Montana |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Modern and Mountain Craftsman | Rustic and Ranch-style |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Views, Sustainability, Proximity to Nature | Privacy, Acreage, Wildlife |
- The Modern and Mountain Craftsman architecture that Colorado is known for will be replaced with the Rustic and Ranch-style architecture typical of Montana.
- Compared to Colorado's real estate listings that commonly reference views, sustainability, and proximity to nature, Montana real estate listings often highlight features like privacy, acreage, and wildlife.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Montana is less walkable than Colorado.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike. Montana is less bike-friendly than Colorado.
- Montana has less of an urban feel than Colorado.
- Montana housing costs are 17% less expensive than they are in Colorado, with a median home price of $456,199 compared to Coloradoβs $549,126.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Montana have increased by 71% compared to a 40% increase in Colorado.
- Rent in Montana is 30.46% more affordable than in Colorado.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Colorado and Montana
Comparison | Colorado | Montana |
---|---|---|
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 | Snowstorms, Wildfires |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85/55 | 80/50 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 45/15 | 34/13 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 15 | 15-20 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 60 | 90 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Colorado to Montana. Montana gets 16% fewer sunshine days than Colorado.
- Montana 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 snowstorms and wildfires in Montana.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Montana is 5 degrees colder than in Colorado.
- The average winter lows are 2 degrees colder than they are in Colorado.
- Your umbrella might be used the same in Montana. Montana receives inches of rain compared to Colorado.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Colorado and Montana
Comparison | Colorado | Montana |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $89,302 | $67,631 |
Cost of Living Index | 98.3 | 99.4 |
State Income Tax | 4.7% | 6.5% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.49% | 0.83% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 2.9% | 0% |
Top 3 Industries | Technology, Tourism, Agriculture | Agriculture, Tourism, Mining |
Affluence | High | Moderate |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Increasing | Stable |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Montana tend to earn about 24% less than those in Colorado
- The COLI in Montana will be 1% higher than what you are used to living in Colorado
- The state income tax in MT is 6.5% compared to 4.7% in CO
- The affluence in Montana is moderate compared to high in Colorado
- The poverty level is moderate in Montana compared to low in Colorado
- In terms of homelessness, it is increasing in Colorado and stable in Montana
Political and Religious Climate in Colorado vs. Montana
Comparison | Colorado | Montana |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Mixed, trending liberal | Conservative lean |
Local Politics | Urban areas lean Democrat | Rural areas support Republican |
Religion | Christianity, unaffiliated | Christianity, unaffiliated |
- Colorado tends to lean mixed, trending liberal in its political climate
- Montana, on the other hand, is often described as conservative lean
- Montana's religious environment can be described as Christianity and unaffiliated
- Colorado's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christianity and unaffiliated
Education Guide When Moving from Colorado to Montana
Comparison | Colorado | Montana |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Colorado Boulder Colorado State University University of Denver | Montana State University University of Montana Carroll College |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Bromwell Elementary - Denver Cory Elementary - Denver Steck Elementary - Denver | Chief Joseph Elementary - Bozeman Hawthorne Elementary - Bozeman Cold Springs Elementary - Missoula |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Challenge School - Denver DSST: Byers Middle School - Denver Summit Middle Charter - Boulder | Sacajawea Middle School - Bozeman Washington Middle School - Missoula Lewis and Clark Middle School - Billings |
Top 3 High Schools | Cherry Creek High School - Greenwood Village Fairview High School - Boulder Poudre High School - Fort Collins | Bozeman High School - Bozeman Hellgate High School - Missoula Billings Senior High - Billings |
Top 3 private high schools | Kent Denver School - Englewood Colorado Academy - Denver The Dawson School - Lafayette | Billings Central Catholic High School - Billings Missoula Loyola - Missoula Great Falls Central Catholic - Great Falls |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Colorado Springs Christian Schools - Colorado Springs Denver Christian Schools - Denver The Vanguard School - Colorado Springs | Petra Academy - Bozeman Stillwater Christian School - Kalispell Valley Christian School - Missoula |
Top 3 School Districts | Boulder Valley School District Cherry Creek School District Littleton Public Schools | Bozeman School District Missoula County Public Schools Billings School District |
How Much Do Colorado to Montana Movers Cost?
Moving 780 miles from Colorado to Montana 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: The Move Caddies
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,645 | 300 ft3 | $5.48 |
1 Bedroom | $2,445 | 450 ft3 | $5.43 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,037 | 750 ft3 | $5.38 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,866 | 1100 ft3 | $5.33 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,452 | 1600 ft3 | $5.28 |
5+ Bedrooms | $9,418 | 1800 ft3 | $5.23 |
Top Colorado to Montana Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Colorado to Montana movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.