Movers

Idaho to Colorado Moving Guide

Updated June 18, 2025

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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

ConsIdaho iconIdaho
  • Long winters
  • Limited entertainment options
  • Lack of major cities
  • Fewer job opportunities
  • Lower population
ProsColorado iconColorado
  • Beautiful mountains
  • Diverse cultural activities
  • Access to Denver
  • Thriving job market
  • Vibrant city life

Colorado iconColorado
  • Higher living expenses
  • Busier environment
  • Less personal space
  • More crowded areas
  • Increased congestion
Idaho iconIdaho
  • 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

ComparisonIdahoColorado
Most iconic local food itemIdaho PotatoesRocky Mountain Oysters
Most popular meat dishIdaho TroutBison Burgers
Most popular street food itemFinger SteaksGreen Chili Burritos
Most popular vegan foodQuinoa SaladsVegan Green Chili
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • The Buckhorn Exchange
  • Frasca Food and Wine
  • Ophelia's Electric Soapbox
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

ComparisonIdahoColorado
Typical Architecture StyleCraftsman & RanchMountain & Modern
Walkability👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban Lifestyle🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingLarge lots, mountain viewsSustainability, 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

ComparisonIdahoColorado
Days of Sunshine per Year☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️
Avg. Annual Humidity💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦
Avg. UV Index🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️
Natural DisastersWildfires, FloodsWildfires, Avalanches
Air QualityGoodModerate
Average Summer High/Low (°F)80-90°F / 40-50°F80-90°F / 50-60°F
Average Winter High/Low (°F)30-40°F / 10-20°F40-50°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

ComparisonIdahoColorado
Avg. Household Income$72,785$89,302
Cost of Living Index91.598.3
State Income Tax5.80%4.55%
Avg. Property Tax0.69%0.48%
Avg. Sales Tax6.03%7.65%
Top 3 IndustriesAgriculture, Manufacturing, TechnologyAerospace, Technology, Tourism
AffluenceModerateHigher
PovertyModerateLower
HomelessnessLowerHigher
  • 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

ComparisonIdahoColorado
Political Make-upConservativeSwing State, leaning liberal
Local PoliticsRepublican-dominated legislatureMix of Democratic and Republican leadership at local levels
ReligionHigh percentage of LDS Church membersMore 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

ComparisonIdahoColorado
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 SchoolsLongfellow 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 SchoolsNorth 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 SchoolsBoise 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 schoolsBishop 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 schoolsRiverstone 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 DistrictsBoise 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 - $6,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-10 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Valley Custom Moving
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,682300 ft3$5.61
1 Bedroom$2,500450 ft3$5.56
2 Bedrooms$4,129750 ft3$5.51
3 Bedrooms$6,0011100 ft3$5.46
4 Bedrooms$8,6481600 ft3$5.41
5+ Bedrooms$9,6391800 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.

TOP PICK
Movemasters, Inc. featured image

Movemasters, Inc.

Best moving company overall for Idaho to Colorado

9.59/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Smooth Movers featured image

Smooth Movers

9.52/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
208 Moving Company featured image

208 Moving Company

9.49/10
ExceptionalView details