Minnesota to Colorado Moving Guide
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Updated August 20, 2025
Planning a 1,053 mile interstate move from Minnesota to Colorado? This moving guide will help you compare living in Minnesota vs Colorado across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs milder winters), food & health (like Hotdish vs Green Chile), real estate & housing (craftsman, colonial vs ranch, modern mountain), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Colorado), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Hotdish and Walleye, but get your taste buds ready for Green Chile & Bison
- Colorado housing costs are 66% more expensive than they are in Minnesota
- Rent in Colorado is 21.61% more expensive than in Minnesota
- Moving from Minnesota to Colorado will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
- Our top recommended Minnesota to Colorado movers is Movemasters, Inc.

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

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

Smooth Movers

Metro Movers
Minnesota to Colorado Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Minnesota to Colorado
- Harsh winters
- Flat terrain
- High humidity
- Limited skiing
- Fewer sunny days
- Milder winters
- Mountainous landscape
- Dry climate
- World-class skiing
- More sunny days
- Less water access
- Modernized cities
- Higher altitude
- More transient population
- Different food scene
- Lakes and rivers
- Rich history
- Lower altitude
- Friendly communities
- Local cuisine
Pros of moving from Minnesota to Colorado
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to milder winters
- Look forward to moving away from flat terrain and moving to Colorado with a mountainous landscape
- Swap the high humidity of Minnesota for a dry climate in Colorado
- Get ready for world-class skiing in Colorado
Cons of moving from Minnesota to Colorado
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from lakes and rivers in Minnesota to live with less water access in Colorado
- You'll lose out on the pro of rich history and have to settle for the con of modernized cities
- Time to bid farewell to lower altitude and get used to higher altitude in Colorado
- Swap friendly communities for a more transient population
Minnesota vs. Colorado: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Minnesota | Colorado |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Hotdish | Green Chile |
Most popular meat dish | Walleye | Bison |
Most popular street food item | Jucy Lucy | Breakfast Burrito |
Most popular vegan food | Wild Rice Soup | Quinoa Salad |
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 Minnesota to Colorado, you will be trading the iconic Hotdish of Minnesota for the equally delicious Green Chile of Colorado. And while the locals in Minnesota rave about their flavorful Walleye and sumptuous Jucy Lucy, Colorado residents know they have tasty Bison and Breakfast Burrito to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Wild Rice Soup they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Quinoa Salad of Colorado. In the days before your move, make sure you take one final trip to iconic Minnesota eateries like Spoon and Stable, Matt's Bar, and CafΓ© Alma. After the boxes are unpacked in Colorado, don't wait too long before making your way to Colorado's acclaimed eateries like Frasca Food and Wine, Snooze, an A.M. Eatery, and Ophelia's Electric Soapbox.
When comparing lifestyles, Colorado shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Minnesota. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Colorado compared to what you are used to in Minnesota. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Colorado.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Minnesota and Colorado
Comparison | Minnesota | Colorado |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Craftsman, Colonial | Ranch, Modern Mountain |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Lakeside Views, Green Spaces | Mountain Views, Outdoor Recreation |
- The Craftsman and Colonial architecture that Minnesota is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Modern Mountain architecture typical of Colorado.
- Compared to Minnesota's real estate listings that commonly reference lakeside views and green spaces, Colorado real estate listings often highlight features like mountain views and outdoor recreation.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Colorado is less walkable than Minnesota.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Colorado is less bike-friendly than Minnesota.
- Colorado has an equally urban feel as Minnesota.
- Colorado housing costs are 66% more expensive than they are in Minnesota, with a median home price of $549,126 compared to Minnesotaβs $331,117.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Colorado have increased by 40% compared to a 33% increase in Minnesota.
- Rent in Colorado is 21.61% more expensive than in Minnesota.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Minnesota and Colorado
Comparison | Minnesota | 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, Tornadoes | Wildfires, Flooding |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 83/63 | 86/55 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 23/-3 | 45/18 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 31 | 17 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 54 | 60 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Minnesota to Colorado. Colorado gets 24% more sunshine days than Minnesota.
- Colorado has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Minnesota.
- Say goodbye to the possible blizzards and tornadoes in Minnesota, but be on the lookout for potential wildfires and flooding in Colorado.
- The average summer high temperature in Colorado is 3 degrees warmer than in Minnesota.
- The average winter lows are 21 degrees warmer than they are in Minnesota.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Colorado, as it receives 14 fewer inches of rain compared to Minnesota.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Minnesota and Colorado
Comparison | Minnesota | Colorado |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $82,338 | $89,302 |
Cost of Living Index | 98.75 | 98.3 |
State Income Tax | 5.35% - 9.85% | 4.4% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.08% | 0.51% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7.43% | 7.65% |
Top 3 Industries | Healthcare, Retail, Manufacturing | Aerospace, Technology, Tourism |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Colorado tend to earn about 8% more than in Minnesota
- The COLI in Colorado is 0% lower than what you are used to living in Minnesota
- The state income tax in Colorado is 4.4% compared to 5.35% - 9.85% in Minnesota
- The affluence in Colorado is high compared to moderate in Minnesota
- The poverty level is moderate in Colorado compared to low in Minnesota
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Minnesota and moderate in Colorado
Political and Religious Climate in Minnesota vs. Colorado
Comparison | Minnesota | Colorado |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Leans Democratic in statewide elections; Twin Cities metro is strongly progressive; many rural and exurban counties are conservative; tradition of ticket-splitting and pragmatic centrism in suburbs. | Shifted from swing to generally Democratic in statewide races; Front Range corridor (Denver-Boulder-Fort Collins and many suburbs) leans liberal; Eastern Plains and much of the Western Slope are conservative. |
Local Politics | City councils and county boards focus on housing, transit, public safety, and social services; Minneapolis-St. Paul often adopt progressive policies; rural townships emphasize infrastructure and agriculture; party balance varies widely by county. | Home-rule cities and numerous special districts; local debates center on growth, land use, water, wildfire mitigation, and transportation; Denver metro and many Front Range suburbs pass more progressive measures; mountain towns and rural counties tend to be more conservative; statewide ballot initiatives and tax limits (e.g., TABOR) strongly influence local budgets. |
Religion | Notable mainline Protestant and Catholic presence, with strong Lutheran traditions; sizable and growing religiously unaffiliated population; active interfaith service networks. | Higher share of religiously unaffiliated along the Front Range; significant evangelical and Catholic communities; pockets of Latter-day Saint and other faith groups; congregations often engaged in community and outdoor-oriented activities. |
- Minnesota tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
- Colorado, on the other hand, is often described as shifted from swing to generally Democratic in statewide races
- Colorado's religious environment can be described as having a higher share of religiously unaffiliated individuals along the Front Range, significant evangelical and Catholic communities, and pockets of Latter-day Saint and other faith groups with congregations often engaged in community and outdoor-oriented activities
- Minnesota's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as having a notable mainline Protestant and Catholic presence, with strong Lutheran traditions, a sizable and growing religiously unaffiliated population, and active interfaith service networks
Education Guide When Moving from Minnesota to Colorado
Comparison | Minnesota | Colorado |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Minnesota Twin Cities - Minneapolis University of St. Thomas - St. Paul Minnesota State University Mankato - Mankato | University of Colorado Boulder - Boulder Colorado State University - Fort Collins Metropolitan State University of Denver - Denver |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Wyoming Elementary - Wyoming Greenwood Elementary - Wayzata Minnewashta Elementary - Minnetonka | Bear Creek Elementary - Boulder Crest View Elementary - Boulder High Peaks Elementary - Boulder |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Wayzata West Middle School - Wayzata St. Louis Park Middle School - St. Louis Park Minnetonka Middle School East - Minnetonka | Summit Middle Charter School - Boulder Liberty Common Charter School - Fort Collins Cresthill Middle School - Highlands Ranch |
Top 3 High School Schools | Wayzata High School - Plymouth Minnetonka High School - Minnetonka Eden Prairie High School - Eden Prairie | Cherry Creek High School - Greenwood Village Rocky Mountain High School - Fort Collins Fairview High School - Boulder |
Top 3 private high schools | The Blake School - Minneapolis Breck School - Golden Valley St. Paul Academy and Summit School - St. Paul | Kent Denver School - Englewood Colorado Academy - Denver Regis Jesuit High School - Aurora |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Breck School - Golden Valley The Blake School - Minneapolis Minnehaha Academy - Minneapolis | Fountain Valley School of Colorado - Colorado Springs Boulder Country Day School - Boulder Eagle Rock School - Estes Park |
Top 3 School Districts | Minnetonka Public Schools - Minnetonka Edina Public Schools - Edina Wayzata Public Schools - Wayzata | Cherry Creek School District - Greenwood Village Boulder Valley School District - Boulder Jefferson County School District - Golden |
How Much Do Minnesota to Colorado Movers Cost?
Moving 1,053 miles from Minnesota to Colorado 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: 4-10 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Metro Movers
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,799 | 300 ft3 | $6.00 |
1 Bedroom | $2,677 | 450 ft3 | $5.95 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,424 | 750 ft3 | $5.90 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,433 | 1100 ft3 | $5.85 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,277 | 1600 ft3 | $5.80 |
5+ Bedrooms | $10,347 | 1800 ft3 | $5.75 |