Movers

North Carolina to Colorado Moving Guide

Updated June 22, 2025

Hero background image

Planning a 1,719 mile interstate move from North Carolina to Colorado? This moving guide will help you compare living in North Carolina vs Colorado across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like summer humidity vs cooler summer temps), food & health (like Pulled pork BBQ vs Rocky Mountain Oysters), real estate & housing (colonial revival, craftsman vs mountain rustic, modern), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Colorado), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Pulled pork BBQ and Eastern-style BBQ, but get your taste buds ready for Rocky Mountain Oysters & Bison burgers
  • Colorado housing costs are 67% more expensive than they are in North Carolina
  • Rent in Colorado is 17% more expensive than in North Carolina
  • Moving from North Carolina to Colorado will cost on average between $2,000 - $8,000
  • Our top recommended North Carolina to Colorado movers is Movemasters, Inc.

North Carolina to Colorado Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from North Carolina to Colorado

ConsNorth Carolina iconNorth Carolina
  • Summer humidity
  • Hurricane threats
  • Flat terrain
  • Allergies from pollen
ProsColorado iconColorado
  • Cooler summer temps
  • Fewer severe storms
  • Mountainous landscapes
  • Cleaner mountain air

Colorado iconColorado
  • No coastal beaches
  • Colder winter temps
  • Higher elevation
  • Less cultural diversity
North Carolina iconNorth Carolina
  • Beach access
  • Milder winters
  • Krispy Kreme HQ
  • Cultural events

Pros of moving from North Carolina to Colorado

  • Say goodbye to summer humidity and hello to cooler summer temps
  • Look forward to moving away from hurricane threats and moving to Colorado with fewer severe storms
  • Swap the flat terrain of North Carolina for mountainous landscapes in Colorado
  • Get ready for cleaner mountain air in Colorado

Cons of moving from North Carolina to Colorado

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from beach access in North Carolina to live with no coastal beaches in Colorado
  • You'll lose out on the pro of milder winters and have to settle for the con of colder winter temps
  • Time to bid farewell to Krispy Kreme HQ and get used to higher elevation in Colorado
  • Swap cultural events for less cultural diversity

North Carolina vs. Colorado: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonNorth CarolinaColorado
Most iconic local food itemPulled pork BBQRocky Mountain Oysters
Most popular meat dishEastern-style BBQBison burgers
Most popular street food itemBBQ sandwichesBreakfast burritos
Most popular vegan foodBBQ jackfruitQuinoa salads
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Skylight Inn BBQ
  • Lexington Barbecue
  • The Pit
Fitness/Health Conscientiousness (out of 10)πŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks (out of 10)🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene (out of 10)🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly (out of 10)🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from North Carolina to Colorado, you will be trading the iconic Pulled Pork BBQ of North Carolina for the equally delicious Rocky Mountain Oysters of Colorado. And while the locals in North Carolina rave about their flavorful Eastern-style BBQ and sumptuous BBQ sandwiches, Colorado residents know they have tasty Bison burgers and Breakfast burritos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the BBQ jackfruit 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 North Carolina eateries like Skylight Inn BBQ, Lexington Barbecue, and The Pit. 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, Beauregard's Saloon, and Frasca Food and Wine.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between North Carolina and Colorado

ComparisonNorth CarolinaColorado
Typical Architecture StyleColonial Revival, CraftsmanMountain Rustic, Modern
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 listingLarge yards, proximity to schoolsMountain views, eco-friendly features
  • The Colonial Revival and Craftsman architecture that North Carolina is known for will be replaced with the Mountain Rustic and Modern architecture typical of Colorado.
  • Compared to North Carolina's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and proximity to schools, Colorado real estate listings often highlight features like mountain views and eco-friendly amenities.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Colorado is more walkable than North Carolina.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Colorado is more bike-friendly than North Carolina.
  • Colorado has more of an urban feel than North Carolina.
  • Colorado housing costs are 67% more expensive than they are in North Carolina, with a median home price of $549,126 compared to North Carolina’s $329,225.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Colorado have increased by 40% compared to a 63% increase in North Carolina.
  • Rent in Colorado is 17% more expensive than in North Carolina.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between North Carolina and Colorado

ComparisonNorth CarolinaColorado
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 DisastersHurricanes, floodsSnowstorms, wildfires
Air QualityGood to ModerateModerate to Poor (especially during wildfire season)
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)87Β°F / 66Β°F85Β°F / 55Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)50Β°F / 30Β°F45Β°F / 18Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)5017
Annual Snowfall (Inches)560
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from North Carolina to Colorado. Colorado gets 15% more sunshine days than North Carolina.
  • Colorado has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to North Carolina.
  • Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and floods in North Carolina, but be on the lookout for potential snowstorms and wildfires in Colorado.
  • The average summer high temperature in Colorado is 2 degrees colder than in North Carolina.
  • The average winter lows are 12 degrees colder than they are in North Carolina.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Colorado. Colorado receives 33 fewer inches of rain compared to North Carolina.

Financial & Community Snapshot: North Carolina and Colorado

ComparisonNorth CarolinaColorado
Avg. Household Income$67,481$89,302
Cost of Living Index95.8598.3
State Income Tax5.25%4.55%
Avg. Property Tax0.77%0.51%
Avg. Sales Tax6.98%7.65%
Top 3 IndustriesManufacturing, Agriculture, FinanceAerospace, Technology, Tourism
AffluenceModerateHigh
PovertyNoticeableManageable
HomelessnessProblematicPersisting
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Colorado tend to earn about 32% more than in North Carolina
  • The COLI in Colorado is 3% higher than what you are used to living in North Carolina
  • The state income tax in CO is 4.55% compared to 5.25% in NC
  • The affluence in Colorado is high compared to moderate in North Carolina
  • The poverty level is manageable in Colorado compared to noticeable in North Carolina
  • In terms of homelessness, it is problematic in North Carolina and persisting in Colorado

Political and Religious Climate in North Carolina vs. Colorado

ComparisonNorth CarolinaColorado
Political Make-upMixed; leans slightly Republican in recent electionsLargely Democratic, especially in urban areas
Local PoliticsModerate with a strong influence in rural areasProgressive, particularly in cities like Denver and Boulder
ReligionChristianity predominantly, Southern Baptist & Methodist strongholdsLess religiously affiliated, diverse religious communities
  • North Carolina tends to lean mixed and leans slightly Republican in recent elections in its political climate
  • Colorado, on the other hand, is often described as largely Democratic, especially in urban areas
  • Colorado's religious environment can be described as less religiously affiliated with diverse religious communities
  • North Carolina's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity with strongholds of Southern Baptist and Methodist

Education Guide When Moving from North Carolina to Colorado

ComparisonNorth CarolinaColorado
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)UNC Chapel Hill
NC State
Duke University
University of Colorado Boulder
Colorado State University
University of Denver
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsMorrisville Elementary - Morrisville
Endhaven Elementary - Charlotte
Brooks Global Studies - Greensboro
High Peaks Elementary - Boulder
Cory Elementary - Denver
Parker Core Knowledge - Parker
Top 3 Middle SchoolsJayne Ellen Middle - Raleigh
Carmel Middle - Charlotte
Piedmont IB Middle - Charlotte
Lesher Middle - Fort Collins
Challenge School - Denver
Summit Middle Charter - Boulder
Top 3 High SchoolsRaleigh Charter High School - Raleigh
North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics - Durham
Ardrey Kell High - Charlotte
Denver School of the Arts - Denver
Fairview High School - Boulder
Cherry Creek High School - Greenwood Village
Top 3 private high schoolsCharlotte Country Day - Charlotte
Durham Academy - Durham
Ravenscroft School - Raleigh
Kent Denver School - Englewood
Colorado Academy - Denver
The Fountain Valley School of Colorado - Colorado Springs
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsCharlotte Latin School - Charlotte
Cary Academy - Cary
Greensboro Day School - Greensboro
Colorado Rocky Mountain School - Carbondale
Dawson School - Lafayette
Vail Mountain School - Vail
Top 3 School DistrictsChapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools
Wake County Public School System
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
Boulder Valley School District
Cherry Creek School District
Littleton Public Schools

How Much Do North Carolina to Colorado Movers Cost?

Moving 1,719 miles from North Carolina to Colorado will typically cost between $3,000 and $8,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $3,000 - $8,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-10 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Raleigh Moving Company
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$2,177300 ft3$7.26
1 Bedroom$3,243450 ft3$7.21
2 Bedrooms$5,368750 ft3$7.16
3 Bedrooms$7,8171100 ft3$7.11
4 Bedrooms$11,2911600 ft3$7.06
5+ Bedrooms$12,6121800 ft3$7.01

Top North Carolina to Colorado Movers

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

TOP PICK
Movemasters, Inc. featured image

Movemasters, Inc.

Best moving company overall for North Carolina to Colorado

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

Smooth Movers

9.52/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Just Move It, LLC featured image

Just Move It, LLC

9.50/10
ExceptionalView details