Colorado to Nebraska Moving Guide
Updated June 9, 2025

Planning a 386 mile interstate move from Colorado to Nebraska? This moving guide will help you compare living in Colorado vs Nebraska across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs more affordable housing), food & health (like Rocky Mountain Oysters vs Runza), real estate & housing (mountain modern, ranch vs prairie, craftsman), 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 Runza & Beef Steaks
- Nebraska housing costs are 53% less expensive than they are in Colorado
- Rent in Nebraska is 37% more affordable than in Colorado
- Moving from Colorado to Nebraska will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,000
- Our top recommended Colorado to Nebraska movers is Movemasters, Inc.
Colorado to Nebraska Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Colorado to Nebraska
- High cost of living
- Traffic congestion
- Expensive childcare
- Overcrowded schools
- More affordable housing
- Less crowded roads
- Lower childcare costs
- Smaller class sizes
- Flat terrain
- Fewer outdoor activities
- Fewer craft breweries
- Limited tech industry
- Mountain views
- Ample hiking trails
- 400+ breweries
- Thriving tech scene
Pros of moving from Colorado to Nebraska
- Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to more affordable housing
- Look forward to moving away from traffic congestion and moving to Nebraska with less crowded roads
- Swap the expensive childcare of Colorado for lower childcare costs in Nebraska
- Get ready for smaller class sizes in Nebraska
Cons of moving from Colorado to Nebraska
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from mountain views in Colorado to live with flat terrain in Nebraska
- You'll lose out on the pro of ample hiking trails and have to settle for the con of fewer outdoor activities
- Time to bid farewell to 400+ breweries and get used to fewer craft breweries in Nebraska
- Swap a thriving tech scene for a limited tech industry
Colorado vs. Nebraska: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Colorado | Nebraska |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Rocky Mountain Oysters | Runza |
Most popular meat dish | Bison Burgers | Beef Steaks |
Most popular street food item | Tacos | Grilled Cheese Sandwiches |
Most popular vegan food | Quinoa Salad | Seitan Wings |
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 Nebraska, you will be trading the iconic Rocky Mountain Oysters of Colorado for the equally delicious Runza of Nebraska. And while the locals in Colorado rave about their flavorful Bison Burgers and sumptuous Tacos, Nebraska residents know they have tasty Beef Steaks and Grilled Cheese Sandwiches 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 Seitan Wings of Nebraska. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Colorado eateries like Frasca Food and Wine, Snooze, and Sassafras American Eatery. After the boxes are unpacked in Nebraska, don't wait too long before making your way to Nebraska's acclaimed eateries like The Ravenous Pig, The Boiler Room, and Block 16.
When comparing lifestyles, Nebraska shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Colorado. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Nebraska, compared to what you are used to in Colorado. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Nebraska.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Colorado and Nebraska
Comparison | Colorado | Nebraska |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Mountain Modern, Ranch | Prairie, Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Mountain views, eco-friendly features | Spacious lots, family-friendly neighborhoods |
- The Mountain Modern and Ranch architecture that Colorado is known for will be replaced with the Prairie and Craftsman architecture typical of Nebraska.
- Compared to Colorado's real estate listings that commonly reference mountain views and eco-friendly features, Nebraska real estate listings often highlight features like spacious lots and family-friendly neighborhoods.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Nebraska is less walkable than Colorado.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Nebraska is less bike-friendly than Colorado.
- Nebraska has less of an urban feel than Colorado.
- Nebraska housing costs are 53% less expensive than they are in Colorado, with a median home price of $257,167 compared to Coloradoβs $549,126.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Nebraska have increased by 47% compared to a 40% increase in Colorado.
- Rent in Nebraska is 37% more affordable than in Colorado.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Colorado and Nebraska
Comparison | Colorado | Nebraska |
---|---|---|
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, Avalanches | Tornadoes, Severe Storms |
Air Quality | Good to Moderate | Good to Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F/55Β°F | 87Β°F/63Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 45Β°F/17Β°F | 37Β°F/14Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 15.6 | 23.5 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 55 | 28 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Colorado to Nebraska. Nebraska gets 9% fewer sunshine days than Colorado.
- Nebraska has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Colorado.
- Say goodbye to the possible wildfires and avalanches in Colorado, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and severe storms in Nebraska.
- The average summer high temperature in Nebraska is 2 degrees warmer than in Colorado.
- The average winter lows are 3 degrees colder than they are in Colorado.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Nebraska. Nebraska receives 7.9 more inches of rain compared to Colorado.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Colorado and Nebraska
Comparison | Colorado | Nebraska |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $89,302 | $69,597 |
Cost of Living Index | 98.3 | 90.85 |
State Income Tax | 4.55% | 6.84% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.55% | 1.61% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7.65% | 6.94% |
Top 3 Industries | Aerospace, Tourism, Agriculture | Agriculture, Insurance, Manufacturing |
Affluence | High | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | Moderate |
Homelessness | Notable | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Nebraska tend to earn about 22% less than in Colorado
- The COLI in Nebraska is 8% lower than what you are used to living in Colorado
- The state income tax in NE is 6.84% compared to 4.55% in CO
- The affluence in Nebraska is moderate compared to high in Colorado
- The poverty level is moderate in Nebraska compared to moderate in Colorado
- In terms of homelessness, it is notable in Colorado and low in Nebraska
Political and Religious Climate in Colorado vs. Nebraska
Comparison | Colorado | Nebraska |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Leans Democratic | Leans Republican |
Local Politics | Varies by region, more progressive in urban areas like <a href="https://www.denvergov.org/Home" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Denver</a> | Conservative across most areas, with some liberal pockets in <a href="https://www.lincoln.ne.gov/Home" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Lincoln</a> and Omaha |
Religion | Less religiously affiliated | Higher concentration of religious affiliation |
- Colorado tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
- Nebraska, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Republican
- Nebraska's religious environment can be described as having a higher concentration of religious affiliation
- Colorado's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as being less religiously affiliated
Education Guide When Moving from Colorado to Nebraska
Comparison | Colorado | Nebraska |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Colorado Boulder Colorado State University University of Denver | University of Nebraska-Lincoln Creighton University University of Nebraska at Omaha |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Bromwell Elementary (Denver) Steele Elementary (Colorado Springs) Slavens K-8 School (Denver) | Brownell Elementary (Lincoln) Dundee Elementary (Omaha) Swanson Elementary (Omaha) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Summit Middle Charter (Boulder) Challenge School (Denver) Mountain Ridge Middle School (Highlands Ranch) | Orchard Park Elementary (La Vista) Elkhorn Ridge Middle School (Elkhorn) Scott Middle School (Lincoln) |
Top 3 High Schools | Cherry Creek High School (Greenwood Village) Fairview High School (Boulder) D'Evelyn Junior/Senior High School (Denver) | Westside High School (Omaha) Millard North High School (Omaha) Lincoln East High School (Lincoln) |
Top 3 private high schools | Kent Denver School (Englewood) Colorado Academy (Denver) The Vanguard School (Colorado Springs) | Mount Michael Benedictine High School (Elkhorn) Brownell Talbot School (Omaha) Marian High School (Omaha) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | St. Mary's Academy (Englewood) The Colorado Springs School (Colorado Springs) Fountain Valley School of Colorado (Colorado Springs) | Brownell Talbot School (Omaha) Omaha Christian Academy (Omaha) Concordia Lutheran Schools of Omaha (Omaha) |
Top 3 School Districts | Cherry Creek School District Douglas County School District Boulder Valley School District | Elkhorn Public Schools Millard Public Schools Lincoln Public Schools |
How Much Do Colorado to Nebraska Movers Cost?
Moving 386 miles from Colorado to Nebraska will typically cost between $2,000 and $5,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,000 - $5,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-10 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: King's Moving - Moving Company in Omaha
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,421 | 300 ft3 | $4.74 |
1 Bedroom | $2,109 | 450 ft3 | $4.69 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,478 | 750 ft3 | $4.64 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,046 | 1100 ft3 | $4.59 |
4 Bedrooms | $7,260 | 1600 ft3 | $4.54 |
5+ Bedrooms | $8,078 | 1800 ft3 | $4.49 |
Top Colorado to Nebraska Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Colorado to Nebraska movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.