Pennsylvania to Colorado Moving Guide
Want help with the heavy lifting?
Updated August 20, 2025
Planning a 1,656 mile interstate move from Pennsylvania to Colorado? This moving guide will help you compare living in Pennsylvania vs Colorado across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like humid summer heat vs cooler drier summers), food & health (like Philly Cheesesteak vs Rocky Mountain Oysters), real estate & housing (colonial, dutch vs mountain, modern), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Colorado), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Philly Cheesesteak and Pork and Sauerkraut, but get your taste buds ready for Rocky Mountain Oysters & Bison Burgers
- Colorado housing costs are 110% more expensive than they are in Pennsylvania
- Rent in Colorado is 36.57% more expensive than in Pennsylvania
- Moving from Pennsylvania to Colorado will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,500
- Our top recommended Pennsylvania to Colorado movers is Pittsburgh Moving

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

Pittsburgh Moving
Best moving company overall for Pennsylvania to Colorado

Movemasters, Inc.

Smooth Movers
Pennsylvania to Colorado Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Pennsylvania to Colorado
- Humid summer heat
- Cloudy winter skies
- Limited mountain access
- Fewer ski areas
- High property taxes
- Lower elevation trails
- Heavier wet snow
- Less outdoor culture
- Muggy spring weather
- Less public land
- Cooler drier summers
- Sunnier winter days
- Rocky Mountain backyard
- World class skiing
- Lower property taxes
- High elevation trails
- Light powder snow
- Strong outdoor lifestyle
- Crisp dry air
- Vast public lands
- Higher income tax
- Costly housing markets
- Shorter fall season
- High altitude adjustment
- Drier water restrictions
- Less colonial history
- Limited rail transit
- Farther from coastline
- Wildfire smoke risk
- Stronger UV exposure
- Lower income tax
- Lower housing costs
- Iconic fall foliage
- Easy breathing altitude
- Abundant water supply
- Rich colonial history
- Established public transit
- Closer to East Coast
- Shorter wildfire season
- Lower sun intensity
Pros of moving from Pennsylvania to Colorado
- Say goodbye to humid summer heat and hello to cooler, drier summers
- Look forward to moving away from cloudy winter skies and moving to Colorado with sunnier winter days
- Swap the limited mountain access of Pennsylvania for a Rocky Mountain backyard in Colorado
- Get ready for world-class skiing in Colorado
Cons of moving from Pennsylvania to Colorado
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from lower income tax in Pennsylvania to live with higher income tax in Colorado
- You'll lose out on the pro of lower housing costs and have to settle for the con of costly housing markets
- Time to bid farewell to iconic fall foliage and get used to a shorter fall season in Colorado
- Swap easy breathing at lower altitude for high altitude adjustment
Pennsylvania vs. Colorado: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Pennsylvania | Colorado |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Philly Cheesesteak | Rocky Mountain Oysters |
Most popular meat dish | Pork and Sauerkraut | Bison Burgers |
Most popular street food item | Pretzels | Tacos |
Most popular vegan food | Mushroom Cheesesteak | 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 Pennsylvania to Colorado, you will be trading the iconic Philly Cheesesteak of Pennsylvania for the equally delicious Rocky Mountain Oysters of Colorado. And while the locals in Pennsylvania rave about their flavorful Pork and Sauerkraut and sumptuous Pretzels, Colorado residents know they have tasty Bison Burgers and Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Mushroom Cheesesteak 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 Pennsylvania eateries like Zahav, Primanti Bros., and Reading Terminal Market. 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 Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse.
When comparing lifestyles, Colorado shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Pennsylvania. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Colorado compared to what you are used to in Pennsylvania. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Colorado.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Pennsylvania and Colorado
Comparison | Pennsylvania | Colorado |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Dutch | Mountain, Modern |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Historic charm, Wooded lots | Mountain views, Open floor plans |
- The Colonial and Dutch architecture that Pennsylvania is known for will be replaced with the Mountain and Modern architecture typical of Colorado.
- Compared to Pennsylvania's real estate listings that commonly reference historic charm and wooded lots, Colorado real estate listings often highlight features like mountain views and open floor plans.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Colorado is less walkable than Pennsylvania.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Colorado is more bike-friendly than Pennsylvania.
- Colorado has less of an urban feel than Pennsylvania.
- Colorado housing costs are 110% more expensive than they are in Pennsylvania, with a median home price of $549,126 compared to Pennsylvaniaβs $261,312.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Colorado have increased by 40% compared to a 43% increase in Pennsylvania.
- Rent in Colorado is 36.57% more expensive than in Pennsylvania.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Pennsylvania and Colorado
Comparison | Pennsylvania | 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 | Snowstorms, Flooding | Wildfires, Snowstorms |
Air Quality | Moderate | Good to Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β° / 62Β° | 86Β° / 56Β° |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 40Β° / 20Β° | 45Β° / 18Β° |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 42 | 15-20 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 38 | 60-100 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Pennsylvania to Colorado. Colorado gets 37% more sunshine days than Pennsylvania.
- Colorado has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Pennsylvania.
- Say goodbye to the possible snowstorms and flooding in Pennsylvania, but be on the lookout for potential wildfires and snowstorms in Colorado.
- The average summer high temperature in Colorado is 1 degree warmer than in Pennsylvania.
- The average winter lows in Colorado are 2 degrees colder than they are in Pennsylvania.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Colorado. Colorado receives 27 fewer inches of rain compared to Pennsylvania.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Pennsylvania and Colorado
Comparison | Pennsylvania | Colorado |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $71,798 | $89,302 |
Cost of Living Index | 99.7 | 98.3 |
State Income Tax | 3.07% | 4.55% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.35% | 0.53% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.34% | 7.65% |
Top 3 Industries | Healthcare, Education, Manufacturing | Aerospace, Technology, Tourism |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Moderate | Low |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Colorado tend to earn about 24% more than in Pennsylvania
- The COLI in Colorado will be 1% lower than what you are used to living in Pennsylvania
- The state income tax in Colorado is 4.55% compared to 3.07% in Pennsylvania
- The affluence in Colorado is high compared to moderate in Pennsylvania
- The poverty level is low in Colorado compared to moderate in Pennsylvania
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Pennsylvania and moderate in Colorado
Political and Religious Climate in Pennsylvania vs. Colorado
Comparison | Pennsylvania | Colorado |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Slightly leaning Democratic | Moderately leaning Democratic |
Local Politics | Varies, with urban areas more progressive | Strong environmental and libertarian influences |
Religion | Mix of Catholic and Protestant | Less religiously affiliated, diverse beliefs |
- Pennsylvania tends to lean slightly Democratic in its political climate
- Colorado, on the other hand, is often described as moderately leaning Democratic
- Colorado's religious environment can be described as less religiously affiliated with diverse beliefs
- Pennsylvania's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a mix of Catholic and Protestant
Education Guide When Moving from Pennsylvania to Colorado
Comparison | Pennsylvania | Colorado |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Penn State University University Park; University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh; Temple University Philadelphia | University of Colorado Boulder Boulder; Colorado State University Fort Collins; University of Denver Denver |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | New Hope-Solebury Elementary School New Hope; Gladwyne Elementary School Gladwyne; Shady Side Academy Junior School Point Breeze | Cheyenne Mountain Elementary School Colorado Springs; Cherry Hills Village Elementary School Cherry Hills Village; High Peaks Elementary School Boulder |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Shady Side Academy Middle School Fox Chapel; Radnor Middle School Wayne; Bala Cynwyd Middle School Bala Cynwyd | Summit Middle Charter School Boulder; Cheyenne Mountain Junior High School Colorado Springs; Littleton Preparatory Charter School Littleton |
Top 3 High Schools | Julia R. Masterman Secondary School Philadelphia; Conestoga High School Berwyn; Radnor High School Radnor | Peak to Peak Charter School Lafayette; Cherry Creek High School Greenwood Village; Fairview High School Boulder |
Top 3 private high schools | Germantown Friends School Philadelphia; The Episcopal Academy Newtown Square; Mercersburg Academy Mercersburg | Colorado Academy Denver; Kent Denver School Englewood; St. Mary's Academy Englewood |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Haverford School Haverford; Friends' Central School Wynnewood; Agnes Irwin School Bryn Mawr | Colorado Academy Denver; Kent Denver School Englewood; Alexander Dawson School Lafayette |
Top 3 School Districts | Radnor Township School District Radnor; Tredyffrin-Easttown School District Tredyffrin; Lower Merion School District Ardmore | Cherry Creek School District Greenwood Village; Boulder Valley School District Boulder; Littleton Public Schools Littleton |
How Much Do Pennsylvania to Colorado Movers Cost?
Moving 1,656 miles from Pennsylvania to Colorado will typically cost between $3,000 and $7,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,000 - $7,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-7 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: U-Relax Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,141 | 300 ft3 | $7.14 |
1 Bedroom | $3,189 | 450 ft3 | $7.09 |
2 Bedrooms | $5,278 | 750 ft3 | $7.04 |
3 Bedrooms | $7,686 | 1100 ft3 | $6.99 |
4 Bedrooms | $11,100 | 1600 ft3 | $6.94 |
5+ Bedrooms | $12,398 | 1800 ft3 | $6.89 |