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Colorado to Montana Moving Guide

Updated June 21, 2025

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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

ConsColorado iconColorado
  • High cost of living
  • Traffic congestion
  • Resort town crowds
  • Dense urban areas
ProsMontana iconMontana
  • Lower housing costs
  • Less crowded roads
  • Less touristy
  • Spacious landscapes

Montana iconMontana
  • Longer, harsher winters
  • Fewer restaurant options
  • Fewer job opportunities
  • More homogenous communities
Colorado iconColorado
  • 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

ComparisonColoradoMontana
Most iconic local food itemRocky Mountain OystersBison burgers
Most popular meat dishElk SteakBeef Steak
Most popular street food itemTacosPasties
Most popular vegan foodJackfruit TacosLentil Burgers
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • The Original Pancake House
  • Beast + Bottle
  • Frasca Food and Wine
  • Überbrew
  • Logjam Presents
  • Bozeman Soup Company
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 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 Überbrew, 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

ComparisonColoradoMontana
Typical Architecture StyleModern and Mountain CraftsmanRustic and Ranch-style
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 listingViews, Sustainability, Proximity to NaturePrivacy, 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 Colorado’s $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

ComparisonColoradoMontana
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, FloodsSnowstorms, Wildfires
Air QualityGoodVariable
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)85/5580/50
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)45/1534/13
Annual Rainfall (Inches)1515-20
Annual Snowfall (Inches)6090
  • 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

ComparisonColoradoMontana
Avg. Household Income$89,302$67,631
Cost of Living Index98.399.4
State Income Tax4.7%6.5%
Avg. Property Tax0.49%0.83%
Avg. Sales Tax2.9%0%
Top 3 IndustriesTechnology, Tourism, AgricultureAgriculture, Tourism, Mining
AffluenceHighModerate
PovertyLowModerate
HomelessnessIncreasingStable
  • 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

ComparisonColoradoMontana
Political Make-upMixed, trending liberalConservative lean
Local PoliticsUrban areas lean DemocratRural areas support Republican
ReligionChristianity, unaffiliatedChristianity, 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

ComparisonColoradoMontana
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 SchoolsBromwell Elementary - Denver
Cory Elementary - Denver
Steck Elementary - Denver
Chief Joseph Elementary - Bozeman
Hawthorne Elementary - Bozeman
Cold Springs Elementary - Missoula
Top 3 Middle SchoolsChallenge 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 SchoolsCherry 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 schoolsKent 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 schoolsColorado 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 DistrictsBoulder 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 - $6,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-10 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: The Move Caddies
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,645300 ft3$5.48
1 Bedroom$2,445450 ft3$5.43
2 Bedrooms$4,037750 ft3$5.38
3 Bedrooms$5,8661100 ft3$5.33
4 Bedrooms$8,4521600 ft3$5.28
5+ Bedrooms$9,4181800 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.

TOP PICK
Movemasters, Inc. featured image

Movemasters, Inc.

Best moving company overall for Colorado to Montana

9.59/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Smooth Movers featured image

Smooth Movers

9.52/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Denver Door to Door Movers LLC featured image

Denver Door to Door Movers LLC

9.50/10
ExceptionalView details

Denver to Montana

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