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DC to Colorado Moving Guide

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Updated June 6, 2025

Planning a 1,729 mile interstate move from DC to Colorado? This moving guide will help you compare living in DC vs Colorado across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high traffic congestion vs scenic mountain views), food & health (like Half-Smoke vs Green Chili), real estate & housing (row houses, federal vs mountain modern, ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in DC), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Half-Smoke and Mumbo sauce with Chicken, but get your taste buds ready for Green Chili & Bison Burgers
  • Colorado housing costs are 11% less expensive than they are in DC
  • Rent in Colorado is 15.54% more affordable than in DC
  • Moving from DC to Colorado will cost on average between $2,000 - $8,000
  • Our top recommended DC to Colorado movers is Bookstore Movers
DC to Colorado featured image

Top DC to Colorado Movers

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

TOP PICK
Bookstore Movers featured image

Bookstore Movers

Best moving company overall for DC to Colorado

9.61/10
Exceptional
RUNNER-UP
Mic's Moving featured image

Mic's Moving

9.60/10
Exceptional
ALSO GREAT
Movemasters, Inc. featured image

Movemasters, Inc.

9.59/10
Exceptional

DC to Colorado Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from DC to Colorado

ConsDC iconDC
  • High traffic congestion
  • Expensive housing
  • Humid summers
  • High population density
ProsColorado iconColorado
  • Scenic mountain views
  • Lower housing costs
  • Cooler climate
  • Spacious living areas

Colorado iconColorado
  • Less cultural diversity
  • Less historical landmarks
  • Fewer world-class museums
  • Quieter evening scene
DC iconDC
  • Cultural diversity
  • Rich history
  • Access to museums
  • Vibrant nightlife

Pros of moving from DC to Colorado

  • Say goodbye to high traffic congestion and hello to scenic mountain views
  • Look forward to moving away from expensive housing and moving to Colorado with lower housing costs
  • Swap the humid summers of DC for a cooler climate in Colorado
  • Get ready for spacious living areas in Colorado

Cons of moving from DC to Colorado

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from cultural diversity in DC to live with less cultural diversity in Colorado
  • You'll lose out on the pro of rich history and have to settle for the con of fewer historical landmarks
  • Time to bid farewell to access to museums and get used to fewer world-class museums in Colorado
  • Swap vibrant nightlife for a quieter evening scene

DC vs. Colorado: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonDCColorado
Most iconic local food itemHalf-SmokeGreen Chili
Most popular meat dishMumbo sauce with ChickenBison Burgers
Most popular street food itemJumbo Slice PizzaTacos
Most popular vegan foodQuinoa SaladJackfruit Tacos
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Ben's Chili Bowl
  • Zaytinya
  • Rose's Luxury
  • The Buckhorn Exchange
  • Snooze, an A.M. Eatery
  • Frasca Food and Wine
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 DC to Colorado, you will be trading the iconic Half-Smoke of DC for the equally delicious Green Chili of Colorado. And while the locals in DC rave about their flavorful Mumbo sauce with Chicken & sumptuous Jumbo Slice Pizza, Colorado residents know they have tasty Bison Burgers and Tacos 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 Jackfruit Tacos of Colorado. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic DC eateries like Ben's Chili Bowl, Zaytinya, and Rose's Luxury. After the boxes are unpacked in Colorado, don't wait too long before making your way to Colorado's acclaimed eateries like The Buckhorn Exchange, Snooze an A.M. Eatery, and Frasca Food and Wine.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between DC and Colorado

ComparisonDCColorado
Typical Architecture StyleRow Houses, FederalMountain Modern, Ranch
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 listingClose to metro, Historic charmMountain views, Outdoor space
  • The Row Houses and Federal architecture that DC is known for will be replaced with the Mountain Modern and Ranch architecture typical of Colorado.
  • Compared to DC's real estate listings that commonly reference proximity to the metro and historic charm, Colorado real estate listings often highlight features like mountain views and outdoor space.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away as Colorado is less walkable than DC.
  • You might want to think twice before moving your bike because Colorado is less bike-friendly than DC.
  • Colorado has less of an urban feel than DC.
  • Colorado housing costs are 11% less expensive than they are in DC, with a median home price of $549,126 compared to DC’s $619,320.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Colorado have increased by 40% compared to an 8% increase in DC.
  • Rent in Colorado is 15.54% more affordable than in DC.

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

ComparisonDCColorado
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 DisastersHurricanes, FloodingWildfires, Blizzards
Air QualityModerateGood to Moderate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)89/7186/56
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)47/2945/18
Annual Rainfall (Inches)40.815.6
Annual Snowfall (Inches)15.560.2
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from DC to Colorado. Colorado gets 21% more sunshine days than DC.
  • Colorado has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to DC.
  • Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and flooding in DC, but be on the lookout for potential wildfires and blizzards in Colorado.
  • The average summer high temperature in Colorado is 3 degrees colder than DC.
  • The average winter lows are 11 degrees colder than they are in DC.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Colorado. Colorado receives 25.2 fewer inches of rain compared to DC.

Financial & Community Snapshot: DC and Colorado

ComparisonDCColorado
Avg. Household Income$101,027$89,302
Cost of Living Index140.198.3
State Income Tax8.5%4.55%
Avg. Property Tax0.56%0.51%
Avg. Sales Tax6.0%7.25%
Top 3 IndustriesGovernment, Education, Professional ServicesAerospace, Agriculture, Tourism
AffluenceHighModerate
PovertyLowModerate
HomelessnessNotableNoticeable
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Colorado tend to earn about 12% less than in DC
  • The COLI in Colorado is 30% lower than what you are used to living in DC
  • The state income tax in CO is 4.55% compared to 8.5% in DC
  • The affluence in Colorado is moderate compared to high in DC
  • The poverty level is moderate in Colorado compared to low in DC
  • In terms of homelessness, it is notable in DC and noticeable in Colorado

Political and Religious Climate in DC vs. Colorado

ComparisonDCColorado
Political Make-upHeavily DemocraticModerately Democratic
Local PoliticsDC CouncilColorado General Assembly
ReligionVaried, with a significant Christian populationVaried, with a notable presence of unaffiliated individuals
  • DC tends to lean heavily Democratic in its political climate
  • Colorado, on the other hand, is often described as moderately Democratic
  • Colorado's religious environment can be described as varied with a notable presence of unaffiliated individuals
  • DC's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as varied with a significant Christian population

Education Guide When Moving from DC to Colorado

ComparisonDCColorado
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)Georgetown University
George Washington University
University of Maryland
University of Colorado Boulder
Colorado State University
University of Denver
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsLafayette Elementary
Washington; Horace Mann Elementary
Washington; Hyde-Addison Elementary
Washington
Wilder Elementary
Littleton; Meridian Elementary
Boulder; Parmalee Elementary
Indian Hills
Top 3 Middle SchoolsDeal Middle
Washington; Hardy Middle
Washington; Jefferson Middle
Washington
Summit Middle
Boulder; Challenge School
Denver; Mountain Ridge Middle
Colorado Springs
Top 3 High SchoolsWilson High
Washington; School Without Walls High
Washington; Banneker High
Washington
Cherry Creek High
Greenwood Village; Rock Canyon High
Highlands Ranch; Fairview High
Boulder
Top 3 private high schoolsSidwell Friends School
Washington; Georgetown Day School
Washington; Gonzaga College High School
Washington
Kent Denver School
Englewood; Colorado Academy
Denver; St. Mary's Academy
Englewood
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsNational Cathedral School
Washington; St. Albans School
Washington; Maret School
Washington
Denver Academy
Denver; Dawson School
Lafayette; Aspen Academy
Greenwood Village
Top 3 School DistrictsDistrict of Columbia Public Schools
District of Columbia; Fairfax County Public Schools
Fairfax; Montgomery County Public Schools
Rockville
Cherry Creek School District
Greenwood Village; Boulder Valley School District
Boulder; Douglas County School District
Castle Rock

How Much Do DC to Colorado Movers Cost?

Moving 1,729 miles from DC to Colorado will typically cost between $3,500 and $8,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $3,500 - $8,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-8.5 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Mic's Moving
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$2,183300 ft3$7.28
1 Bedroom$3,252450 ft3$7.23
2 Bedrooms$5,382750 ft3$7.18
3 Bedrooms$7,8381100 ft3$7.13
4 Bedrooms$11,3211600 ft3$7.08
5+ Bedrooms$12,6461800 ft3$7.03