Movers

Virginia to Colorado Moving Guide

Updated June 4, 2025

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Planning a 1,671 mile interstate move from Virginia to Colorado? This moving guide will help you compare living in Virginia vs Colorado across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high humidity vs dry climate), food & health (like Ham vs Rocky Mountain Oysters), real estate & housing (colonial, cape cod vs mountain, modern), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Colorado), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Ham and Barbecue, but get your taste buds ready for Rocky Mountain Oysters & Bison burgers
  • Colorado housing costs are 42% more expensive than they are in Virginia
  • Rent in Colorado is 10.72% more expensive than in Virginia
  • Moving from Virginia to Colorado will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,500
  • Our top recommended Virginia to Colorado movers is ARS Movers

Virginia to Colorado Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Virginia to Colorado

ConsVirginia iconVirginia
  • High humidity
  • Hurricane risks
  • Traffic congestion
  • Pollen allergies
ProsColorado iconColorado
  • Dry climate
  • Mountain views
  • Less crowded roads
  • Clean mountain air

Colorado iconColorado
  • Lack of historic sites
  • Harsh winters
  • Landlocked state
  • Newer cities developing
Virginia iconVirginia
  • Rich history
  • Mild winters
  • Close to the coast
  • Established communities

Pros of moving from Virginia to Colorado

  • Say goodbye to high humidity and hello to dry climate
  • Look forward to moving away from hurricane risks and moving to Colorado with mountain views
  • Swap the traffic congestion of Virginia for less crowded roads in Colorado
  • Get ready for clean mountain air in Colorado

Cons of moving from Virginia to Colorado

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from rich history in Virginia to live with a lack of historic sites in Colorado
  • You'll lose out on the pro of mild winters and have to settle for the con of harsh winters
  • Time to bid farewell to being close to the coast and get used to a landlocked state in Colorado
  • Swap established communities for newer cities that are developing

Virginia vs. Colorado: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonVirginiaColorado
Most iconic local food itemHamRocky Mountain Oysters
Most popular meat dishBarbecueBison burgers
Most popular street food itemHot DogsTacos
Most popular vegan foodAvocado toastQuinoa Salad
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • The Shed at Smokedown
  • The Inn at Little Washington
  • Mama J's
  • Buckhorn Exchange
  • Ophelia's Electric Soapbox
  • 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 Virginia to Colorado, you will be trading the iconic ham of Virginia for the equally delicious Rocky Mountain oysters of Colorado. And while the locals in Virginia rave about their flavorful barbecue and sumptuous hot dogs, Colorado residents know they have tasty bison burgers and tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the avocado toast 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 Virginia eateries like The Shed at Smokedown, The Inn at Little Washington, and Mama J's. After the boxes are unpacked in Colorado, don't wait too long before making your way to Colorado's acclaimed eateries like Buckhorn Exchange, Ophelia's Electric Soapbox, and Root Down.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Virginia and Colorado

ComparisonVirginiaColorado
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, Cape CodMountain, 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 listingHardwood floors, Historical proximityMountain views, Eco-friendly features
  • The Colonial and Cape Cod architecture that Virginia is known for will be replaced with the Mountain and Modern architecture typical of Colorado.
  • Compared to Virginia's real estate listings that commonly reference hardwood floors and historical proximity, Colorado real estate listings often highlight features like mountain views and eco-friendly aspects.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Colorado is more walkable than Virginia.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Colorado is more bike-friendly than Virginia.
  • Colorado has more of an urban feel than Virginia.
  • Colorado housing costs are 42% more expensive than they are in Virginia, with a median home price of $549,126 compared to Virginia’s $385,780.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Colorado have increased by 40% compared to a 42% increase in Virginia.
  • Rent in Colorado is 10.72% more expensive than in Virginia.

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

ComparisonVirginiaColorado
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, FloodsWildfires, Blizzards
Air QualityGood to ModerateGood to Poor (varies with altitude)
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)85Β°F / 66Β°F85Β°F / 56Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)48Β°F / 29Β°F45Β°F / 18Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)44"15.6"
Annual Snowfall (Inches)10"60"
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Virginia to Colorado. Colorado gets 20% more sunshine days than Virginia.
  • Colorado has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Virginia.
  • Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and floods in Virginia, but be on the lookout for potential wildfires and blizzards in Colorado.
  • The average summer high temperature in Colorado is the same as in Virginia.
  • The average winter lows in Colorado are 11 degrees colder than those in Virginia.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Colorado. Colorado receives 28.4 fewer inches of rain compared to Virginia.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Virginia and Colorado

ComparisonVirginiaColorado
Avg. Household Income$85,873$89,302
Cost of Living Index96.698.3
State Income Tax2% - 5.75%4.55%
Avg. Property Tax0.80%0.51%
Avg. Sales Tax5.73%7.65%
Top 3 IndustriesTechnology, Government, EducationAerospace, Agriculture, Technology
AffluenceModerateHigh
PovertyStableIncreasing
HomelessnessLowModerate
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Colorado tend to earn about 4% more than those in Virginia
  • The COLI in Colorado will be 2% higher than what you are used to living in Virginia
  • The state income tax in Colorado is 4.55% compared to 2% to 5.75% in Virginia
  • The affluence in Colorado is high compared to moderate affluence in Virginia
  • The poverty level is increasing in Colorado compared to stable conditions in Virginia
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in Virginia and moderate in Colorado

Political and Religious Climate in Virginia vs. Colorado

ComparisonVirginiaColorado
Political Make-upModerately liberal, increasingly Democratic in recent electionsSwing state, but trending towards Democratic in recent years
Local PoliticsDivided between urban (liberal) and rural (conservative) areasLiberal in urban areas like Denver, more conservative in rural parts
ReligionChristian majority, with a significant number of non-religious residentsLess religious overall, with a strong presence of non-religious and Christian communities
  • Virginia tends to lean moderately liberal and increasingly Democratic in its political climate
  • Colorado, on the other hand, is often described as a swing state but is trending towards Democratic in recent years
  • Colorado's religious environment can be described as less religious overall, with a strong presence of non-religious and Christian communities
  • Virginia's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Christian majority with a significant number of non-religious residents

Education Guide When Moving from Virginia to Colorado

ComparisonVirginiaColorado
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Virginia
Virginia Tech
James Madison University
University of Colorado Boulder
Colorado State University
University of Denver
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsNuckols Farm Elementary - Henrico
Arlington Science Focus School - Arlington
Stenwood Elementary - Vienna
Bromwell Elementary - Denver
Cory Elementary - Denver
Parker Core Knowledge Charter School - Parker
Top 3 Middle SchoolsLongfellow Middle School - Falls Church
Frost Middle School - Fairfax
Henley Middle School - Crozet
Summit Middle Charter School - Boulder
Campus Middle School - Greenwood Village
Denver School of the Arts - Denver
Top 3 High School SchoolsThomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology - Alexandria
McLean High School - McLean
Langley High School - McLean
Cherry Creek High School - Greenwood Village
Fairview High School - Boulder
Denver School of the Arts - Denver
Top 3 private high schoolsThe Potomac School - McLean
St. Christopher's School - Richmond
Madeira School - McLean
Kent Denver School - Englewood
Colorado Academy - Denver
Fountain Valley School of Colorado - Colorado Springs
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsSt. Stephen's & St. Agnes School - Alexandria
Flint Hill School - Oakton
The Potomac School - McLean
Colorado Academy - Denver
Kent Denver School - Englewood
Fountain Valley School of Colorado - Colorado Springs
Top 3 School DistrictsFairfax County Public Schools
Loudoun County Public Schools
Arlington Public Schools
Cherry Creek School District
Boulder Valley School District
Douglas County School District

How Much Do Virginia to Colorado Movers Cost?

Moving 1,671 miles from Virginia 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 - $7,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-8 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Estes SureMove
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$2,150300 ft3$7.17
1 Bedroom$3,202450 ft3$7.12
2 Bedrooms$5,300750 ft3$7.07
3 Bedrooms$7,7181100 ft3$7.02
4 Bedrooms$11,1461600 ft3$6.97
5+ Bedrooms$12,4491800 ft3$6.92

Top Virginia to Colorado Movers

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

TOP PICK
ARS Movers featured image

ARS Movers

Best moving company overall for Virginia to Colorado

9.64/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Movemasters, Inc. featured image

Movemasters, Inc.

9.59/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
A Change of Place Movers

A Change of Place Movers

9.59/10
ExceptionalView details