Movers

Missouri to Colorado Moving Guide

Updated June 11, 2025

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Planning a 886 mile interstate move from Missouri to Colorado? This moving guide will help you compare living in Missouri vs Colorado across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like severe humidity vs dry climate), food & health (like St. Louis-style pizza vs Rocky Mountain Oysters), real estate & housing (traditional, craftsman vs modern, mountain), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Colorado), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to St. Louis-style pizza and Kansas City barbecue, but get your taste buds ready for Rocky Mountain Oysters & Bison burgers
  • Colorado housing costs are 126% more expensive than they are in Missouri
  • Rent in Colorado is 51.84% more expensive than in Missouri
  • Moving from Missouri to Colorado will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
  • Our top recommended Missouri to Colorado movers is Sunrise Moving and Packing, LLC

Missouri to Colorado Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Missouri to Colorado

ConsMissouri iconMissouri
  • Severe humidity
  • Tornado threats
  • Lack of ski resorts
  • Limited hiking
ProsColorado iconColorado
  • Dry climate
  • Mountain scenery
  • Winter sports
  • Abundant trails

Colorado iconColorado
  • Higher living costs
  • Competitive job market
  • Altitude adjustment
  • Harsh winters
Missouri iconMissouri
  • Lower cost of living
  • Friendly communities
  • Rich history
  • Four distinct seasons

Pros of moving from Missouri to Colorado

  • Say goodbye to severe humidity and hello to a dry climate
  • Look forward to moving away from tornado threats and moving to Colorado with mountain scenery
  • Swap the lack of ski resorts in Missouri for winter sports in Colorado
  • Get ready for abundant trails in Colorado

Cons of moving from Missouri to Colorado

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a lower cost of living in Missouri to live with higher living costs in Colorado
  • You'll lose out on the pro of friendly communities and have to settle for the con of a competitive job market
  • Time to bid farewell to rich history and get used to the altitude adjustment in Colorado
  • Swap four distinct seasons for harsh winters

Missouri vs. Colorado: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonMissouriColorado
Most iconic local food itemSt. Louis-style pizzaRocky Mountain Oysters
Most popular meat dishKansas City barbecueBison burgers
Most popular street food itemToasted RavioliGreen Chile Cheese Fries
Most popular vegan foodBBQ Jackfruit SandwichQuinoa Salad
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que
  • Pappy's Smokehouse
  • Sidney Street Cafe
  • Frasca Food and Wine
  • Snooze an AM Eatery
  • New Belgium Brewing Company
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 Missouri to Colorado, you will be trading the iconic St. Louis-style pizza of Missouri for the equally delicious Rocky Mountain Oysters of Colorado. And while the locals in Missouri rave about their flavorful Kansas City barbecue and sumptuous Toasted Ravioli, Colorado residents know they have tasty Bison burgers and Green Chile Cheese Fries to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the BBQ Jackfruit Sandwich they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Quinoa Salad of Colorado. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Missouri eateries like Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que, Pappy's Smokehouse, and Sidney Street Cafe. 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 AM Eatery, and New Belgium Brewing Company.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Missouri and Colorado

ComparisonMissouriColorado
Typical Architecture StyleTraditional, CraftsmanModern, Mountain
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 listingSpacious backyards, entertainment spacesViews, eco-friendly features
  • The Traditional and Craftsman architecture that Missouri is known for will be replaced with the Modern and Mountain architecture typical of Colorado.
  • Compared to Missouri's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious backyards and entertainment spaces, Colorado real estate listings often highlight features like views and eco-friendly attributes.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Colorado is more walkable than Missouri.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Colorado is more bike-friendly than Missouri.
  • Colorado has more of an urban feel than Missouri.
  • Colorado housing costs are 126% more expensive than they are in Missouri, with a median home price of $549,126 compared to Missouri’s $243,216.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Colorado have increased by 40% compared to a 49% increase in Missouri.
  • Rent in Colorado is 51.84% more expensive than in Missouri.

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

ComparisonMissouriColorado
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 DisastersTornadoes, FloodsWildfires, Avalanches
Air QualityModerateGood
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)89/67Β°F85/56Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)40/21Β°F45/18Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)4217
Annual Snowfall (Inches)1860
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Missouri to Colorado. Colorado gets 20% more sunshine days than Missouri.
  • Colorado has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Missouri.
  • Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Missouri, but be on the lookout for potential wildfires and avalanches in Colorado.
  • Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Colorado is 4 degrees colder than in Missouri.
  • The average winter lows are 3 degrees colder than they are in Missouri.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Colorado. Colorado receives 25 fewer inches of rain compared to Missouri.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Missouri and Colorado

ComparisonMissouriColorado
Avg. Household Income$64,811$89,302
Cost of Living Index91.898.3
State Income Tax4.95%4.63%
Avg. Property Tax0.93%0.49%
Avg. Sales Tax7.81%7.72%
Top 3 IndustriesAgriculture, Manufacturing, HealthcareAerospace, Technology, Tourism
AffluenceModerateHigh
PovertyMediumLow
HomelessnessAverageNoticeable
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Colorado tend to earn about 38% more than in Missouri
  • The COLI in Colorado will be 7% higher than what you are used to living in Missouri
  • The state income tax in CO is 4.63% compared to 4.95% in MO
  • The affluence in Colorado is high compared to moderate in Missouri
  • The poverty level is low in Colorado compared to medium in Missouri
  • In terms of homelessness, it is average in Missouri and noticeable in Colorado

Political and Religious Climate in Missouri vs. Colorado

ComparisonMissouriColorado
Political Make-upModerately conservativeModerately liberal
Local PoliticsSwings between parties depending on the areaDemocratic leaning in urban areas
ReligionChristianity dominates, with a high percentage of EvangelicalsLess religious overall, with a mix of beliefs including a higher percentage of unaffiliated or secular residents
  • Missouri tends to lean moderately conservative in its political climate
  • Colorado, on the other hand, is often described as moderately liberal
  • Colorado's religious environment can be described as less religious overall, with a mix of beliefs including a higher percentage of unaffiliated or secular residents
  • Missouri's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christianity dominating, with a high percentage of Evangelicals

Education Guide When Moving from Missouri to Colorado

ComparisonMissouriColorado
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Missouri
Washington University in St. Louis
Missouri State University
University of Colorado Boulder
Colorado State University
University of Denver
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsMason Ridge Elementary
St. Louis; John Thomas School of Discovery
Nixa; Wilson’s Creek 5-6 Intermediate School
Springfield
Bromwell Elementary
Denver; Cory Elementary
Denver; Parker Core Knowledge Charter School
Parker
Top 3 Middle SchoolsLadue Middle School
St. Louis; Pembroke Hill School
Kansas City; John Burroughs School
St. Louis
DSA (Denver School of the Arts)
Denver; McAuliffe International School
Denver; Stargate School
Thornton
Top 3 High SchoolsClayton High School
Clayton; Ladue Horton Watkins High School
St. Louis; John Burroughs School
St. Louis
Cherry Creek High School
Greenwood Village; Fairview High School
Boulder; Denver School of the Arts
Denver
Top 3 private high schoolsPembroke Hill School
Kansas City; John Burroughs School
St. Louis; St. Louis University High School
St. Louis
Colorado Academy
Denver; Kent Denver School
Englewood; Fountain Valley School
Colorado Springs
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsThe Pembroke Hill School
Kansas City; Christian Brothers College High School
St. Louis; Thomas Jefferson School
St. Louis
Colorado Academy
Denver; Graland Country Day School
Denver; St. Anne's Episcopal School
Denver
Top 3 School DistrictsClayton School District
Clayton; Ladue School District
St. Louis; Parkway School District
Chesterfield
Cherry Creek School District
Greenwood Village; Boulder Valley School District
Boulder; Douglas County School District
Castle Rock

How Much Do Missouri to Colorado Movers Cost?

Moving 886 miles from Missouri 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 - $6,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 3-9 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Sunrise Moving and Packing, LLC
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,705300 ft3$5.68
1 Bedroom$2,535450 ft3$5.63
2 Bedrooms$4,187750 ft3$5.58
3 Bedrooms$6,0861100 ft3$5.53
4 Bedrooms$8,7721600 ft3$5.48
5+ Bedrooms$9,7791800 ft3$5.43

Top Missouri to Colorado Movers

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

TOP PICK
Sunrise Moving and Packing, LLC featured image

Sunrise Moving and Packing, LLC

Best moving company overall for Missouri to Colorado

9.62/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Movemasters, Inc. featured image

Movemasters, Inc.

9.59/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Smooth Movers featured image

Smooth Movers

9.52/10
ExceptionalView details