Movers

Tennessee to Colorado Moving Guide

Updated June 22, 2025

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Planning a 1,281 mile interstate move from Tennessee to Colorado? This moving guide will help you compare living in Tennessee vs Colorado across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like hot summers vs cooler climate), food & health (like Memphis BBQ vs Rocky Mountain Oysters), real estate & housing (colonial, craftsman vs mountain, modern), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Colorado), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Memphis BBQ and Hot Chicken, but get your taste buds ready for Rocky Mountain Oysters & Bison Burgers
  • Colorado housing costs are 73% more expensive than they are in Tennessee
  • Rent in Colorado is 20.55% more expensive than in Tennessee
  • Moving from Tennessee to Colorado will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,000
  • Our top recommended Tennessee to Colorado movers is Movemasters, Inc.

Tennessee to Colorado Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Tennessee to Colorado

ConsTennessee iconTennessee
  • Hot summers
  • High humidity
  • Limited ski resorts
  • Traffic congestion
  • Few mountain ranges
ProsColorado iconColorado
  • Cooler climate
  • Low humidity
  • Abundant ski resorts
  • Efficient public transport
  • Rocky Mountains

Colorado iconColorado
  • Snowy winters
  • Limited Southern food
  • High altitude issues
  • Higher cost of living
  • Cultural adjustments
Tennessee iconTennessee
  • Mild winters
  • Southern cuisine
  • Low altitude
  • Lower cost of living
  • Familiar culture

Pros of moving from Tennessee to Colorado

  • Say goodbye to hot summers and hello to a cooler climate
  • Look forward to moving away from high humidity and moving to Colorado with low humidity
  • Swap the limited ski resorts of Tennessee for abundant ski resorts in Colorado
  • Get ready for efficient public transport in Colorado

Cons of moving from Tennessee to Colorado

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from mild winters in Tennessee to live with snowy winters in Colorado
  • You'll lose out on the pro of southern cuisine and have to settle for the con of limited Southern food
  • Time to bid farewell to low altitude and get used to high altitude issues in Colorado
  • Swap a lower cost of living for a higher cost of living

Tennessee vs. Colorado: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonTennesseeColorado
Most iconic local food itemMemphis BBQRocky Mountain Oysters
Most popular meat dishHot ChickenBison Burgers
Most popular street food itemGourmet Hot DogsTacos
Most popular vegan foodBBQ JackfruitQuinoa Salad
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • The Rendezvous
  • Prince's Hot Chicken Shack
  • Hattie B’s
  • The Buckhorn Exchange
  • Snooze, an A.M. Eatery
  • Root Down
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 Tennessee to Colorado, you will be trading the iconic Memphis BBQ of Tennessee for the equally delicious Rocky Mountain Oysters of Colorado. And while the locals in Tennessee rave about their flavorful Hot Chicken and sumptuous Gourmet Hot Dogs, Colorado residents know they have tasty Bison Burgers and Tacos 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 Salad of Colorado. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Tennessee eateries like The Rendezvous, Prince's Hot Chicken Shack, and Hattie B’s. 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, Snooze an A.M. Eatery, and Root Down.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Tennessee and Colorado

ComparisonTennesseeColorado
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, CraftsmanMountain, 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 listingSpacious Backyards, Historic DetailsMountain Views, Eco-friendly Features
  • The Colonial and Craftsman architecture that Tennessee is known for will be replaced with the Mountain and Modern architecture typical of Colorado.
  • Compared to Tennessee's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious backyards and historic details, Colorado real estate listings often highlight features like mountain views and eco-friendly features.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Colorado is more walkable than Tennessee.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Colorado is more bike-friendly than Tennessee.
  • Colorado has more of an urban feel than Tennessee.
  • Colorado housing costs are 73% more expensive than they are in Tennessee, with a median home price of $549,126 compared to Tennessee’s $317,482.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Colorado have increased 40% compared to a 63% increase in Tennessee.
  • Rent in Colorado is 20.55% more expensive than in Tennessee.

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

ComparisonTennesseeColorado
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, snowstorms
Air QualityGood to moderateGood to moderate; varies with elevation
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)89Β°F / 69Β°F86Β°F / 56Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)49Β°F / 30Β°F45Β°F / 18Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)53"15.5"
Annual Snowfall (Inches)5"60"
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Tennessee to Colorado. Colorado gets 18% more sunshine days than Tennessee.
  • Colorado has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Tennessee.
  • Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Tennessee, but be on the lookout for potential wildfires and snowstorms in Colorado.
  • The average summer high temperature in Colorado is 3 degrees colder than in Tennessee.
  • The average winter lows are 12 degrees colder than they are in Tennessee.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Colorado. Colorado receives 37.5 fewer inches of rain compared to Tennessee.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Tennessee and Colorado

ComparisonTennesseeColorado
Avg. Household Income$65,254$89,302
Cost of Living Index88.998.3
State Income Tax0%4.55%
Avg. Property Tax0.64%0.51%
Avg. Sales Tax9.47%7.65%
Top 3 IndustriesManufacturing, Healthcare, AgricultureAerospace, Technology, Tourism
AffluenceModerateHigh
PovertySignificantModerate
HomelessnessVisibleConcerning
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Colorado tend to earn about 37% more than in Tennessee
  • The COLI in Colorado will be 11% higher than what you are used to living in Tennessee
  • Bummer... By moving from TN to CO, you'll now have a state income tax of 4.55%
  • The affluence in Colorado is high compared to moderate affluence in Tennessee
  • The poverty level is moderate in Colorado compared to significant poverty in Tennessee
  • In terms of homelessness, it is visible in Tennessee and concerning in Colorado

Political and Religious Climate in Tennessee vs. Colorado

ComparisonTennesseeColorado
Political Make-upConservative/RepublicanLiberal/Democrat
Local PoliticsStrongly influenced by rural and traditional valuesMix of urban liberalism and rural conservatism
ReligionHighly religious, predominantly ChristianLess religious, diverse beliefs
  • Tennessee tends to lean Conservative/Republican in its political climate
  • Colorado, on the other hand, is often described as Liberal/Democrat
  • Colorado's religious environment can be described as less religious and diverse in beliefs
  • Tennessee's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as highly religious and predominantly Christian

Education Guide When Moving from Tennessee to Colorado

ComparisonTennesseeColorado
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Tennessee
Vanderbilt University
Tennessee State University
University of Colorado Boulder
Colorado State University
University of Denver
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsLinden Elementary School (Oak Ridge)
Lockeland Elementary Design Center (Nashville)
A. B. Hill Elementary (Memphis)
Bromwell Elementary School (Denver)
Cory Elementary School (Denver)
Parker Core Knowledge Charter School (Parker)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsMeigs Magnet Middle School (Nashville)
Brentwood Middle School (Brentwood)
West End Middle Prep (Nashville)
DSA (Denver School of the Arts) (Denver)
Kruse Elementary School (Fort Collins)
Platt Middle School (Boulder)
Top 3 High SchoolsHume-Fogg Academic High School (Nashville)
Central Magnet School (Murfreesboro)
Martin Luther King Jr. Academic Magnet School (Nashville)
Cherry Creek High School (Greenwood Village)
Fairview High School (Boulder)
Boulder High School (Boulder)
Top 3 private high schoolsBaylor School (Chattanooga)
McCallie School (Chattanooga)
University School of Nashville (Nashville)
Kent Denver School (Englewood)
Colorado Academy (Denver)
The Fountain Valley School of Colorado (Colorado Springs)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsBrentwood Academy (Brentwood)
Harding Academy (Nashville)
Franklin Road Academy (Nashville)
Colorado Springs School (Colorado Springs)
Vail Mountain School (Vail)
St. Mary's Academy (Englewood)
Top 3 School DistrictsWilliamson County Schools
Maryville City Schools
Oak Ridge School District
Boulder Valley School District
Cherry Creek School District
Douglas County School District

How Much Do Tennessee to Colorado Movers Cost?

Moving 1,281 miles from Tennessee 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 - $7,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-9 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Rice's Professional Moving Service
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,929300 ft3$6.43
1 Bedroom$2,871450 ft3$6.38
2 Bedrooms$4,747750 ft3$6.33
3 Bedrooms$6,9071100 ft3$6.28
4 Bedrooms$9,9661600 ft3$6.23
5+ Bedrooms$11,1221800 ft3$6.18

Top Tennessee to Colorado Movers

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

TOP PICK
Movemasters, Inc. featured image

Movemasters, Inc.

Best moving company overall for Tennessee to Colorado

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

Smooth Movers

9.52/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Alpha Moving & Storage LLC featured image

Alpha Moving & Storage LLC

9.41/10
ExceptionalView details