Michigan to Colorado Moving Guide
Updated June 15, 2025

Planning a 1,330 mile interstate move from Michigan to Colorado? This moving guide will help you compare living in Michigan vs Colorado across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs mild winter climate), food & health (like Coney Dog vs Rocky Mountain Oysters), real estate & housing (colonial, 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 Coney Dog and Pasties, but get your taste buds ready for Rocky Mountain Oysters & Bison Burgers
- Colorado housing costs are 129% more expensive than they are in Michigan
- Rent in Colorado is 39.72% more expensive than in Michigan
- Moving from Michigan to Colorado will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,000
- Our top recommended Michigan to Colorado movers is Pro-Low Moving
Michigan to Colorado Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Michigan to Colorado
- Harsh winters
- Flat landscapes
- Limited outdoor activities options
- High humidity
- Mild winter climate
- Mountainous scenery
- Extensive outdoor recreation
- Dry climate
- No large bodies of water
- Lesser autumn colors
- Higher altitude
- Less cultural diversity
- Great Lakes access
- Autumn foliage
- Lower altitude
- Cultural diversity
Pros of moving from Michigan to Colorado
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to a mild winter climate
- Look forward to moving away from flat landscapes and moving to Colorado with mountainous scenery
- Swap the limited outdoor activity options of Michigan for extensive outdoor recreation in Colorado
- Get ready for a dry climate in Colorado
Cons of moving from Michigan to Colorado
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from Great Lakes access in Michigan to live with no large bodies of water in Colorado
- You'll lose out on the pro of autumn foliage and have to settle for the con of lesser autumn colors
- Time to bid farewell to lower altitude and get used to a higher altitude in Colorado
- Swap cultural diversity for less cultural diversity
Michigan vs. Colorado: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Michigan | Colorado |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Coney Dog | Rocky Mountain Oysters |
Most popular meat dish | Pasties | Bison Burgers |
Most popular street food item | Detroit-style Pizza | Green Chili Burritos |
Most popular vegan food | Tempeh Reubens | Quinoa Salads |
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 (out of 10) | 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 Michigan to Colorado, you will be trading the iconic Coney Dog of Michigan for the equally delicious Rocky Mountain Oysters of Colorado. And while the locals in Michigan rave about their flavorful Pasties and sumptuous Detroit-style Pizza, Colorado residents know they have tasty Bison Burgers and Green Chili Burritos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Tempeh Reubens they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Quinoa Salads of Colorado. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Michigan eateries like Slows Bar BQ, Zingerman's Deli, and Buddy's Pizza. After the boxes are unpacked in Colorado, don't wait too long before making your way to Colorado's acclaimed eateries like Beau Jo's Pizza, Snooze an A.M. Eatery, and The Kitchen.
When comparing lifestyles, Colorado shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Michigan. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Colorado compared to what you are used to in Michigan. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Colorado.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Michigan and Colorado
Comparison | Michigan | Colorado |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Ranch | Mountain, Modern |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Lake access, Spacious yards | Mountain views, Proximity to nature |
- The Colonial and Ranch architecture that Michigan is known for will be replaced with the Mountain and Modern architecture typical of Colorado.
- Compared to Michigan's real estate listings that commonly reference lake access and spacious yards, Colorado real estate listings often highlight features like mountain views and proximity to nature.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Colorado is more walkable than Michigan.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Colorado is more bike-friendly than Michigan.
- Colorado has more of an urban feel than Michigan.
- Colorado housing costs are 129% more expensive than they are in Michigan, with a median home price of $549,126 compared to Michiganβs $239,770.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Colorado have increased 40% compared to a 45% increase in Michigan.
- Rent in Colorado is 39.72% more expensive than in Michigan.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Michigan and Colorado
Comparison | Michigan | Colorado |
---|---|---|
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 | Blizzards, Floods | Wildfires, Floods |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 81Β°F / 61Β°F | 86Β°F / 55Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 31Β°F / 17Β°F | 45Β°F / 18Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 32.76" | 15.6" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 60.66" | 60.5" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Michigan to Colorado. Colorado gets 44% more sunshine days than Michigan.
- Colorado has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Michigan.
- Say goodbye to the possible blizzards and floods in Michigan, but be on the lookout for potential wildfires and floods in Colorado.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Colorado is 5 degrees warmer than in Michigan.
- The average winter lows are 1 degree warmer than they are in Michigan.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Colorado. Colorado receives 17.2 fewer inches of rain compared to Michigan.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Michigan and Colorado
Comparison | Michigan | Colorado |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $66,986 | $89,302 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.2 | 98.3 |
State Income Tax | 4.25% | 4.55% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.54% | 0.49% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.00% | 7.65% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Health Care, Education | Aerospace, Technology, Tourism |
Affluence | Stable | Growing |
Poverty | Moderate | Low |
Homelessness | Notable | Concerning |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Colorado tend to earn about 33% more than in Michigan
- The COLI in Colorado will be 8% higher than what you are used to living in Michigan
- The state income tax in CO is 4.55% compared to 4.25% in MI
- The affluence in Colorado is growing compared to stable affluence in Michigan
- The poverty level is low in Colorado compared to moderate poverty in Michigan
- In terms of homelessness, it is notable in Michigan and concerning in Colorado
Political and Religious Climate in Michigan vs. Colorado
Comparison | Michigan | Colorado |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Moderately Democratic | Lean Democratic |
Local Politics | Diverse, varies by region | Progressive in urban areas, conservative in rural |
Religion | Christian majority, diverse religious presence | Less religious, growing non-religious population |
- Michigan tends to lean moderately Democratic in its political climate
- Colorado, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Democratic
- Colorado's religious environment can be described as less religious with a growing non-religious population
- Michigan's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Christian majority with a diverse religious presence
Education Guide When Moving from Michigan to Colorado
Comparison | Michigan | Colorado |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Michigan Michigan State University Wayne State University | University of Colorado Boulder Colorado State University University of Denver |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Harlan Elementary (Birmingham) Bemis Elementary (Troy) Schroeder Elementary (Troy) | Slavens K-8 School (Denver) Cory Elementary School (Denver) Bear Creek Elementary School (Boulder) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Boulan Park Middle School (Troy) West Middle School (Rochester Hills) Meads Mill Middle School (Northville) | Summit Middle Charter School (Boulder) Mountain Ridge Middle School (Highlands Ranch) Morey Middle School (Denver) |
Top 3 High School Schools | International Academy (Bloomfield Hills) Troy High School (Troy) Northville High School (Northville) | Cherry Creek High School (Greenwood Village) Fairview High School (Boulder) Boulder High School (Boulder) |
Top 3 private high schools | Detroit Country Day (Beverly Hills) Cranbrook Kingswood (Bloomfield Hills) Greenhills School (Ann Arbor) | Kent Denver School (Englewood) Colorado Academy (Denver) The Alexander Dawson School (Lafayette) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Roeper School (Bloomfield Hills) Detroit Country Day (Beverly Hills) Greenhills School (Ann Arbor) | Colorado Academy (Denver) The Alexander Dawson School (Lafayette) Vail Mountain School (Vail) |
Top 3 School Districts | Bloomfield Hills Schools Troy School District Ann Arbor Public Schools | Boulder Valley School District Cherry Creek School District Douglas County School District |
How Much Do Michigan to Colorado Movers Cost?
Moving 1,330 miles from Michigan to Colorado 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: 3-10 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Pro-Low Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,956 | 300 ft3 | $6.52 |
1 Bedroom | $2,912 | 450 ft3 | $6.47 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,816 | 750 ft3 | $6.42 |
3 Bedrooms | $7,009 | 1100 ft3 | $6.37 |
4 Bedrooms | $10,115 | 1600 ft3 | $6.32 |
5+ Bedrooms | $11,289 | 1800 ft3 | $6.27 |
Top Michigan to Colorado Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Michigan to Colorado movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.