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Colorado to Washington Moving Guide

Updated June 11, 2025

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Planning a 1,305 mile interstate move from Colorado to Washington? This moving guide will help you compare living in Colorado vs Washington across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high altitude vs sea level elevation), food & health (like Rocky Mountain Oysters vs Salmon), real estate & housing (mountain modern vs northwest contemporary), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Washington), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Rocky Mountain Oysters and Bison Burger, but get your taste buds ready for Salmon & Seafood Chowder
  • Washington housing costs are 8% more expensive than they are in Colorado
  • Rent in Washington is 2.71% more affordable than in Colorado
  • Moving from Colorado to Washington will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,000
  • Our top recommended Colorado to Washington movers is Movemasters, Inc.

Colorado to Washington Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Colorado to Washington

ConsColorado iconColorado
  • High altitude
  • Dry climate
  • Limited coastline
  • Costly housing in Denver
ProsWashington iconWashington
  • Sea level elevation
  • Lush greenery
  • Expansive coastlines
  • Diverse housing options

Washington iconWashington
  • Frequent rain
  • High humidity
  • Few ski options
  • Limited winter sports
Colorado iconColorado
  • 300 days of sun
  • Dry weather
  • Famous ski resorts
  • Outdoor recreation

Pros of moving from Colorado to Washington

  • Say goodbye to high altitude and hello to sea level elevation
  • Look forward to moving away from a dry climate and moving to Washington with lush greenery
  • Swap the limited coastline of Colorado for expansive coastlines in Washington
  • Get ready for diverse housing options in Washington

Cons of moving from Colorado to Washington

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from 300 days of sun in Colorado to live with frequent rain in Washington
  • You'll lose out on the pro of dry weather and have to settle for the con of high humidity
  • Time to bid farewell to famous ski resorts and get used to few ski options in Washington
  • Swap outdoor recreation for limited winter sports

Colorado vs. Washington: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonColoradoWashington
Most iconic local food itemRocky Mountain OystersSalmon
Most popular meat dishBison BurgerSeafood Chowder
Most popular street food itemBreakfast BurritoTeriyaki
Most popular vegan foodQuinoa SaladPho
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • The Buckhorn Exchange
  • Beau Jo's Pizza
  • Frasca Food and Wine
  • Pike Place Chowder
  • Canlis
  • The Dining Room at Salish Lodge & Spa
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 Washington, you will be trading the iconic Rocky Mountain Oysters of Colorado for the equally delicious Salmon of Washington. And while the locals in Colorado rave about their flavorful Bison Burger and sumptuous Breakfast Burrito, Washington residents know they have tasty Seafood Chowder and Teriyaki 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 Pho of Washington. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Colorado eateries like The Buckhorn Exchange, Beau Jo's Pizza, and Frasca Food and Wine. After the boxes are unpacked in Washington, don't wait too long before making your way to Washington's acclaimed eateries like Pike Place Chowder, Canlis, and The Dining Room at Salish Lodge and Spa.

When comparing lifestyles, Washington shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Colorado. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Washington compared to what you are used to in Colorado. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Washington.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Colorado and Washington

ComparisonColoradoWashington
Typical Architecture StyleMountain ModernNorthwest Contemporary
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, Outdoor SpacesEnergy Efficiency, Green Spaces
  • The Mountain Modern architecture that Colorado is known for will be replaced with the Northwest Contemporary architecture typical of Washington.
  • Compared to Colorado's real estate listings that commonly reference mountain views and outdoor spaces, Washington real estate listings often highlight features like energy efficiency and green spaces.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Washington is more walkable than Colorado.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Washington is more bike-friendly than Colorado.
  • Washington has more of an urban feel than Colorado.
  • Washington housing costs are 8% more expensive than they are in Colorado, with a median home price of $591,148 compared to Colorado’s $549,126.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Washington have increased by 49% compared to a 40% increase in Colorado.
  • Rent in Washington is 2.71% more affordable than in Colorado.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Colorado and Washington

ComparisonColoradoWashington
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, HailstormsVolcanoes, Earthquakes
Air QualityGood to ModerateModerate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)85Β°F / 56Β°F76Β°F / 55Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)45Β°F / 17Β°F47Β°F / 36Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)15.638.4
Annual Snowfall (Inches)60.211.4
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from Colorado to Washington. Washington gets 38% fewer sunshine days than Colorado.
  • Washington has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Colorado.
  • Say goodbye to the possible wildfires and hailstorms in Colorado, but be on the lookout for potential volcanoes and earthquakes in Washington.
  • Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Washington is 9 degrees colder than in Colorado.
  • The average winter lows are 19 degrees warmer than they are in Colorado.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in Washington. Washington receives 22.8 more inches of rain compared to Colorado.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Colorado and Washington

ComparisonColoradoWashington
Avg. Household Income$89,302$91,306
Cost of Living Index98.3104.1
State Income Tax4.55%0%
Avg. Property Tax0.51%0.93%
Avg. Sales Tax2.9%6.5%
Top 3 IndustriesTechnology, Tourism, AgricultureAerospace, Technology, Agriculture
AffluenceModerateHigh
PovertyLowModerate
HomelessnessGrowingSignificant
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Washington tend to earn about 2% more than those in Colorado
  • The COLI in Washington is 6% higher than what you are used to living in Colorado
  • Hooray, moving to WA means you'll no longer have state income taxes
  • The affluence in Washington is high compared to moderate affluence in Colorado
  • The poverty level is moderate in Washington compared to low in Colorado
  • In terms of homelessness, it is growing in Colorado and significant in Washington

Political and Religious Climate in Colorado vs. Washington

ComparisonColoradoWashington
Political Make-upPurple, slightly leaning DemocraticDemocratic
Local PoliticsBlend of conservative rural areas and liberal citiesLiberal in urban areas, conservative in rural
ReligionChristianity predominant, growing unaffiliated populationChristianity predominant, significant unaffiliated population
  • Colorado tends to lean purple, slightly leaning Democratic in its political climate
  • Washington, on the other hand, is often described as Democratic
  • Washington's religious environment can be described as predominantly Christianity with a significant unaffiliated population
  • Colorado's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity with a growing unaffiliated population

Education Guide When Moving from Colorado to Washington

ComparisonColoradoWashington
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Colorado Boulder
Colorado State University
University of Denver
University of Washington
Washington State University
Western Washington University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsParker Core Knowledge Charter School
Parker; Slavens K-8 School
Denver; Cory Elementary School
Denver
Cascade K-8 Community School
Shoreline; Bertschi School
Seattle; Challenge Elementary School
Everett
Top 3 Middle SchoolsKinard Core Knowledge Middle School
Fort Collins; Summit Middle Charter School
Boulder; Denver School of the Arts
Denver
International Community School
Kirkland; Environmental & Adventure School
Kirkland; Washington Middle School
Seattle
Top 3 High SchoolsCherry Creek High School
Greenwood Village; Fairview High School
Boulder; Denver School of the Arts
Denver
Lakeside School
Seattle; Newport High School
Bellevue; International School
Bellevue
Top 3 private high schoolsColorado Academy
Denver; The Kent Denver School
Englewood; Fountain Valley School of Colorado
Colorado Springs
Lakeside School
Seattle; The Overlake School
Redmond; Bellevue Christian School
Bellevue
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsColorado Springs School
Colorado Springs; Dawson School
Lafayette; Vail Mountain School
Vail
The Bush School
Seattle; The Bear Creek School
Redmond; Annie Wright Schools
Tacoma
Top 3 School DistrictsCherry Creek School District
Denver School District
Boulder Valley School District
Lake Washington School District
Bellevue School District
Mercer Island School District

How Much Do Colorado to Washington Movers Cost?

Moving 1,305 miles from Colorado to Washington 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 - $7,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-7 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: John Volken Academy Movers
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,942300 ft3$6.47
1 Bedroom$2,891450 ft3$6.42
2 Bedrooms$4,781750 ft3$6.37
3 Bedrooms$6,9571100 ft3$6.32
4 Bedrooms$10,0391600 ft3$6.27
5+ Bedrooms$11,2041800 ft3$6.22

Top Colorado to Washington Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best Colorado to Washington movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

TOP PICK
Movemasters, Inc. featured image

Movemasters, Inc.

Best moving company overall for Colorado to Washington

9.59/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Seattle Moves & More

Seattle Moves & More

9.55/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Smooth Movers featured image

Smooth Movers

9.52/10
ExceptionalView details