Colorado to Wisconsin Moving Guide
Updated June 14, 2025

Planning a 1,099 mile interstate move from Colorado to Wisconsin? This moving guide will help you compare living in Colorado vs Wisconsin across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs more affordable housing), food & health (like Rocky Mountain Oysters vs Cheese Curds), real estate & housing (mountain and modern vs craftsman and colonial), 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 Cheese Curds & Bratwurst
- Wisconsin housing costs are 46% less expensive than they are in Colorado
- Rent in Wisconsin is 38.31% more affordable than in Colorado
- Moving from Colorado to Wisconsin will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
- Our top recommended Colorado to Wisconsin movers is Movemasters, Inc.
Colorado to Wisconsin Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Colorado to Wisconsin
- High cost of living
- Frequent droughts
- Tourist traffic
- High altitude
- Limited green landscape
- More affordable housing
- Abundant water resources
- Quieter towns
- Lower elevation
- Lush green scenery
- Flat terrain
- Fewer outdoor options
- Less cultural variety
- Limited skiing
- Wintry weather dominance
- Mountain views
- Diverse outdoor activities
- Africa-in-America festival (Denver)
- Numerous ski resorts
- Laid-back lifestyle
Pros of moving from Colorado to Wisconsin
- Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to more affordable housing
- Look forward to moving away from frequent droughts and moving to Wisconsin with abundant water resources
- Swap the tourist traffic of Colorado for quieter towns in Wisconsin
- Get ready for lower elevation in Wisconsin
Cons of moving from Colorado to Wisconsin
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the mountain views in Colorado to live with flat terrain in Wisconsin
- You'll lose out on the pro of diverse outdoor activities and have to settle for the con of fewer outdoor options
- Time to bid farewell to the Africa-in-America festival in Denver and get used to less cultural variety in Wisconsin
- Swap numerous ski resorts for limited skiing
Colorado vs. Wisconsin: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Colorado | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Rocky Mountain Oysters | Cheese Curds |
Most popular meat dish | Bison Burgers | Bratwurst |
Most popular street food item | Tacos | Bratwurst again |
Most popular vegan food | Quinoa Salad | Beer Cheese Soup (Vegan Version) |
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 Wisconsin, you will be trading the iconic Rocky Mountain Oysters of Colorado for the equally delicious Cheese Curds of Wisconsin. And while the locals in Colorado rave about their flavorful Bison Burgers and sumptuous Tacos, Wisconsin residents know they have tasty Bratwurst and Bratwurst again 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 Beer Cheese Soup (Vegan Version) of Wisconsin. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Colorado eateries like Casa Bonita, The Sink, and Flagstaff House. After the boxes are unpacked in Wisconsin, don't wait too long before making your way to Wisconsin's acclaimed eateries like Mader's, The Shed, and SafeHouse Milwaukee.
When comparing lifestyles, Wisconsin shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Colorado. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Wisconsin compared to what you are used to in Colorado. Also, the overall foodie scene is similarly bustling in Wisconsin.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Colorado and Wisconsin
Comparison | Colorado | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Mountain and Modern | Craftsman and Colonial |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Mountain views, Open floor plan | Lake access, Large backyards |
- The Mountain and Modern architecture that Colorado is known for will be replaced with the Craftsman and Colonial architecture typical of Wisconsin.
- Compared to Colorado's real estate listings that commonly reference mountain views and open floor plans, Wisconsin real estate listings often highlight features like lake access and large backyards.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Wisconsin is less walkable than Colorado.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Wisconsin is less bike-friendly than Colorado.
- Wisconsin has less of an urban feel than Colorado.
- Wisconsin housing costs are 46% less expensive than they are in Colorado, with a median home price of $294,909 compared to Coloradoβs $549,126.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Wisconsin have increased by 47% compared to a 40% increase in Colorado.
- Rent in Wisconsin is 38.31% more affordable than in Colorado.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Colorado and Wisconsin
Comparison | Colorado | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
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, Tornadoes |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°/55Β° | 82Β°/62Β° |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 45Β°/18Β° | 28Β°/13Β° |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 15.6 | 32.6 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 60.3 | 48.0 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Colorado to Wisconsin. Wisconsin gets 23% fewer sunshine days than Colorado.
- Wisconsin 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 tornadoes in Wisconsin.
- The average summer high temperature in Wisconsin is 3 degrees colder than in Colorado.
- The average winter lows are 5 degrees colder than they are in Colorado.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Wisconsin. Wisconsin receives 17 more inches of rain compared to Colorado.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Colorado and Wisconsin
Comparison | Colorado | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $89,302 | $70,996 |
Cost of Living Index | 98.3 | 95.65 |
State Income Tax | 4.55% | 7.65% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.55% | 1.68% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 2.9% | 5% |
Top 3 Industries | Aerospace, Technology, Agriculture | Manufacturing, Healthcare, Agriculture |
Affluence | Moderate | Average |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Visible but limited | Less visible |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Wisconsin tend to earn about 20% less than in Colorado
- The COLI in Wisconsin will be 3% lower than what you are used to living in Colorado
- The state income tax in WI is 7.65% compared to 4.55% in CO
- The affluence in Wisconsin is average compared to moderate in Colorado
- The poverty level is moderate in Wisconsin compared to low in Colorado
- In terms of homelessness, it is visible but limited in Colorado and less visible in Wisconsin
Political and Religious Climate in Colorado vs. Wisconsin
Comparison | Colorado | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Moderately Liberal | Mixed/Swing State |
Local Politics | Diverse, with progressive cities | Mix of conservative and progressive areas |
Religion | Less religiously affiliated | Higher religiosity, with strong Catholic and Lutheran presence |
- Colorado tends to lean moderately Liberal in its political climate
- Wisconsin, on the other hand, is often described as a Mixed/Swing State
- Wisconsin's religious environment can be described as having higher religiosity, with a strong Catholic and Lutheran presence
- Colorado's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as less religiously affiliated
Education Guide When Moving from Colorado to Wisconsin
Comparison | Colorado | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Colorado Boulder Colorado State University University of Denver | University of Wisconsin-Madison University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Marquette University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Bromwell Elementary - Denver Cory Elementary - Denver Parker Core Knowledge Charter School - Parker | Shorewood Hills Elementary - Shorewood Swanson Elementary - Brookfield Richmond School - Sussex |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Denver School of the Arts - Denver Summit Middle Charter School - Boulder McAuliffe International School - Denver | Longfellow Middle School - Wauwatosa Lake Shore Middle School - Mequon Pilgrim Park Middle School - Elm Grove |
Top 3 High Schools | Cherry Creek High School - Greenwood Village Fairview High School - Boulder Denver School of the Arts - Denver | Brookfield East High School - Brookfield Middleton High School - Middleton Cedarburg High School - Cedarburg |
Top 3 private high schools | Colorado Academy - Denver Kent Denver School - Englewood St. Mary's Academy - Englewood | University School of Milwaukee - Milwaukee Marquette University High School - Milwaukee Madison Country Day School - Madison |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Colorado Springs School - Colorado Springs Vail Mountain School - Vail Fountain Valley School - Colorado Springs | University Lake School - Hartland Brookfield Academy - Brookfield Prairie School - Racine |
Top 3 School Districts | Cherry Creek School District Boulder Valley School District Douglas County School District | Elmbrook School District Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District Whitefish Bay School District |
How Much Do Colorado to Wisconsin Movers Cost?
Moving 1,099 miles from Colorado to Wisconsin 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: 2-9.5 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Above Average Moving LLC
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,826 | 300 ft3 | $6.09 |
1 Bedroom | $2,716 | 450 ft3 | $6.04 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,489 | 750 ft3 | $5.99 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,529 | 1100 ft3 | $5.94 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,416 | 1600 ft3 | $5.89 |
5+ Bedrooms | $10,503 | 1800 ft3 | $5.84 |
Top Colorado to Wisconsin Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Colorado to Wisconsin movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

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