Idaho to Colorado Moving Guide
Updated June 18, 2025

Planning a 845 mile interstate move from Idaho to Colorado? This moving guide will help you compare living in Idaho vs Colorado across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like long winters vs beautiful mountains), food & health (like Idaho Potatoes vs Rocky Mountain Oysters), real estate & housing (craftsman & ranch vs mountain & modern), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Colorado), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Idaho Potatoes and Idaho Trout, but get your taste buds ready for Rocky Mountain Oysters & Bison Burgers
- Colorado housing costs are 22% more expensive than they are in Idaho
- Rent in Colorado is 25.46% more expensive than in Idaho
- Moving from Idaho to Colorado will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
- Our top recommended Idaho to Colorado movers is Movemasters, Inc.
Idaho to Colorado Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Idaho to Colorado
- Long winters
- Limited entertainment options
- Lack of major cities
- Fewer job opportunities
- Lower population
- Beautiful mountains
- Diverse cultural activities
- Access to Denver
- Thriving job market
- Vibrant city life
- Higher living expenses
- Busier environment
- Less personal space
- More crowded areas
- Increased congestion
- Low cost of living
- Serene landscapes
- Close-knit communities
- Quiet neighborhoods
- Less traffic
Pros of moving from Idaho to Colorado
- Say goodbye to long winters and hello to beautiful mountains
- Look forward to moving away from limited entertainment options and moving to Colorado with diverse cultural activities
- Swap the lack of major cities of Idaho for access to Denver in Colorado
- Get ready for a thriving job market in Colorado
Cons of moving from Idaho to Colorado
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the low cost of living in Idaho to live with higher living expenses in Colorado
- You'll lose out on the pro of serene landscapes and have to settle for the con of a busier environment
- Time to bid farewell to close-knit communities and get used to less personal space in Colorado
- Swap quiet neighborhoods for more crowded areas
Idaho vs. Colorado: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Idaho | Colorado |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Idaho Potatoes | Rocky Mountain Oysters |
Most popular meat dish | Idaho Trout | Bison Burgers |
Most popular street food item | Finger Steaks | Green Chili Burritos |
Most popular vegan food | Quinoa Salads | Vegan Green Chili |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness | 💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪 | 💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪 |
Abundance of Food Trucks | 🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚 | 🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚 |
Foodie Scene | 🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴 | 🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴 |
Vegan Friendly | 🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 | 🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 |
If you're moving from Idaho to Colorado, you will be trading the iconic Idaho Potatoes of Idaho for the equally delicious Rocky Mountain Oysters of Colorado. And while the locals in Idaho rave about their flavorful Idaho Trout and sumptuous Finger Steaks, Colorado residents know they have tasty Bison Burgers and Green Chili Burritos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Quinoa Salads they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan Green Chili of Colorado. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Idaho eateries like Boise Fry Company, State & Lemp, and The Basque Market. 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, Frasca Food and Wine, and Ophelia's Electric Soapbox.
When comparing lifestyles, Colorado shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Idaho. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Colorado compared to what you are used to in Idaho. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Colorado.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Idaho and Colorado
Comparison | Idaho | Colorado |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Craftsman & Ranch | Mountain & Modern |
Walkability | 👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟 | 👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟 |
Bikeability | 🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲 | 🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲 |
Urban Lifestyle | 🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️ | 🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large lots, mountain views | Sustainability, outdoor access |
- The Craftsman and Ranch architecture that Idaho is known for will be replaced with the Mountain and Modern architecture typical of Colorado.
- Compared to Idaho's real estate listings that commonly reference large lots and mountain views, Colorado real estate listings often highlight features like sustainability and outdoor access.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Colorado is more walkable than Idaho.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Colorado is more bike-friendly than Idaho.
- Colorado has more of an urban feel than Idaho.
- Colorado housing costs are 22% more expensive than they are in Idaho, with a median home price of $549,126 compared to Idaho’s $451,298.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Colorado have increased by 40% compared to a 69% increase in Idaho.
- Rent in Colorado is 25.46% more expensive than in Idaho.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Idaho and Colorado
Comparison | Idaho | Colorado |
---|---|---|
Days of Sunshine per Year | ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️ | ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️ |
Avg. Annual Humidity | 💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦 | 💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦 |
Avg. UV Index | 🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️ | 🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️ |
Natural Disasters | Wildfires, Floods | Wildfires, Avalanches |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (°F) | 80-90°F / 40-50°F | 80-90°F / 50-60°F |
Average Winter High/Low (°F) | 30-40°F / 10-20°F | 40-50°F / 10-20°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 12-20" | 15-20" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 25-40" | 60-100" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Idaho to Colorado. Colorado gets 23% more sunshine days than Idaho.
- Colorado has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Idaho.
- Say goodbye to the possible wildfires and floods in Idaho, but be on the lookout for potential wildfires and avalanches in Colorado.
- The average summer high temperature in Colorado is the same as Idaho.
- The average winter lows are 0 degrees colder than they are in Idaho.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Colorado. Colorado receives 3 more inches of rain compared to Idaho.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Idaho and Colorado
Comparison | Idaho | Colorado |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $72,785 | $89,302 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.5 | 98.3 |
State Income Tax | 5.80% | 4.55% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.69% | 0.48% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.03% | 7.65% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Technology | Aerospace, Technology, Tourism |
Affluence | Moderate | Higher |
Poverty | Moderate | Lower |
Homelessness | Lower | Higher |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Colorado tend to earn about 23% more than those in Idaho
- The COLI in Colorado is 7% higher than what you are used to living in Idaho
- The state income tax in CO is 4.55% compared to 5.80% in ID
- The affluence in Colorado is higher compared to moderate in Idaho
- The poverty level is lower in Colorado compared to moderate in Idaho
- In terms of homelessness, it is lower in Idaho and higher in Colorado
Political and Religious Climate in Idaho vs. Colorado
Comparison | Idaho | Colorado |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Conservative | Swing State, leaning liberal |
Local Politics | Republican-dominated legislature | Mix of Democratic and Republican leadership at local levels |
Religion | High percentage of LDS Church members | More religiously diverse, with a significant unaffiliated population |
- Idaho tends to lean conservative in its political climate
- Colorado, on the other hand, is often described as a swing state, leaning liberal
- Colorado's religious environment can be described as more religiously diverse, with a significant unaffiliated population
- Idaho's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a high percentage of LDS Church members
Education Guide When Moving from Idaho to Colorado
Comparison | Idaho | Colorado |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Idaho Boise State University Idaho State University | University of Colorado Boulder Colorado State University University of Denver |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Longfellow Elementary School (Boise) White Pine Elementary (Boise) Adams Elementary School (Boise) | Bromwell Elementary (Denver) Cory Elementary (Denver) Parker Core Knowledge Charter School (Parker) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | North Star Charter School (Eagle) Idaho Fine Arts Academy (Eagle) Galileo STEM Academy (Eagle) | Denver School of the Arts (Denver) The Connect Charter School (Pueblo) Summit Middle Charter School (Boulder) |
Top 3 High Schools | Boise High School (Boise) Idaho Fine Arts Academy (Eagle) Renaissance High School (Meridian) | Cherry Creek High School (Greenwood Village) Fairview High School (Boulder) D'Evelyn Junior/Senior High School (Denver) |
Top 3 private high schools | Bishop Kelly High School (Boise) The Ambrose School (Meridian) Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy (Coeur d'Alene) | Colorado Academy (Denver) The Kent Denver School (Englewood) Fountain Valley School of Colorado (Colorado Springs) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Riverstone International School (Boise) The Ambrose School (Meridian) North Idaho Christian School (Hayden) | Colorado Academy (Denver) The Kent Denver School (Englewood) Fountain Valley School of Colorado (Colorado Springs) |
Top 3 School Districts | Boise School District Blaine County School District Coeur d'Alene School District | Cherry Creek School District Boulder Valley School District Douglas County School District |
How Much Do Idaho to Colorado Movers Cost?
Moving 845 miles from Idaho to Colorado 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: Valley Custom Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,682 | 300 ft3 | $5.61 |
1 Bedroom | $2,500 | 450 ft3 | $5.56 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,129 | 750 ft3 | $5.51 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,001 | 1100 ft3 | $5.46 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,648 | 1600 ft3 | $5.41 |
5+ Bedrooms | $9,639 | 1800 ft3 | $5.36 |
Top Idaho to Colorado Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Idaho to Colorado movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.