Wisconsin to Colorado Moving Guide
Want help with the heavy lifting?
Updated June 21, 2025
Planning a 1,098 mile interstate move from Wisconsin to Colorado? This moving guide will help you compare living in Wisconsin vs Colorado across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs mild winters), food & health (like Cheese Curds vs Rocky Mountain Oysters), real estate & housing (craftsman, farmhouse vs mountain style, modern), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Colorado), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Cheese Curds and Bratwurst, but get your taste buds ready for Rocky Mountain Oysters & Bison Burgers
- Colorado housing costs are 86% more expensive than they are in Wisconsin
- Rent in Colorado is 62.09% more expensive than in Wisconsin
- Moving from Wisconsin to Colorado will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
- Our top recommended Wisconsin to Colorado movers is Movemasters, Inc.

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

Movemasters, Inc.
Best moving company overall for Wisconsin to Colorado

Elite Movers

Smooth Movers
Wisconsin to Colorado Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Wisconsin to Colorado
- Harsh winters
- Limited outdoor activities
- Fewer mountains
- High humidity
- Flat terrain
- Mild winters
- Endless outdoor adventures
- Stunning mountain views
- Dry climate
- Diverse terrain
- Higher living expenses
- Competitive housing market
- Limited beer selection
- Busy urban centers
- Less water recreation
- Lower cost of living
- Friendly communities
- Renowned breweries
- Charming small towns
- Lake activities
Pros of moving from Wisconsin to Colorado
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to mild winters
- Look forward to moving away from limited outdoor activities and moving to Colorado with endless outdoor adventures
- Swap the fewer mountains of Wisconsin for stunning mountain views in Colorado
- Get ready for a dry climate in Colorado
Cons of moving from Wisconsin to Colorado
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the lower cost of living in Wisconsin to live with higher living expenses in Colorado
- You'll lose out on the pro of friendly communities and have to settle for the con of a competitive housing market
- Time to bid farewell to renowned breweries and get used to a limited beer selection in Colorado
- Swap charming small towns for busy urban centers
Wisconsin vs. Colorado: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Wisconsin | Colorado |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Cheese Curds | Rocky Mountain Oysters |
Most popular meat dish | Bratwurst | Bison Burgers |
Most popular street food item | Fried Cheese Curds | Tacos |
Most popular vegan food | Black Bean Burgers | Quinoa Salads |
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 Wisconsin to Colorado, you will be trading the iconic Cheese Curds of Wisconsin for the equally delicious Rocky Mountain Oysters of Colorado. And while the locals in Wisconsin rave about their flavorful Bratwurst and sumptuous Fried Cheese Curds, Colorado residents know they have tasty Bison Burgers and Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Black Bean Burgers 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 Wisconsin eateries like Mader Restaurant, The Old Fashioned, and Lake Park Bistro. After the boxes are unpacked in Colorado, don't wait too long before making your way to Colorado's acclaimed eateries like The Lost Cajun, Elway's, and Frasca Food and Wine.
When comparing lifestyles, Colorado shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Wisconsin. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Colorado compared to what you are used to in Wisconsin. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Colorado.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Wisconsin and Colorado
Comparison | Wisconsin | Colorado |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Craftsman, Farmhouse | Mountain Style, Modern |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Lakeshore, Spacious Yards | Mountain Views, Sustainability Features |
- The Craftsman and Farmhouse architecture that Wisconsin is known for will be replaced with the Mountain Style and Modern architecture typical of Colorado.
- Compared to Wisconsin's real estate listings that commonly reference lakeshore and spacious yards, Colorado real estate listings often highlight features like mountain views and sustainability features.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Colorado is more walkable than Wisconsin.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Colorado is more bike-friendly than Wisconsin.
- Colorado has more of an urban feel than Wisconsin.
- Colorado housing costs are 86% more expensive than they are in Wisconsin, with a median home price of $549,126 compared to Wisconsinβs $294,909.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Colorado have increased by 40% compared to a 47% increase in Wisconsin.
- Rent in Colorado is 62.09% more expensive than in Wisconsin.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Wisconsin and Colorado
Comparison | Wisconsin | 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, Tornados | Wildfires, Snowstorms |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 82Β°F / 60Β°F | 85Β°F / 56Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 27Β°F / 12Β°F | 45Β°F / 18Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 34" | 15.6" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 48" | 60" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Wisconsin to Colorado. Colorado gets 30% more sunshine days than Wisconsin.
- Colorado has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Wisconsin.
- Say goodbye to the possible snowstorms and tornadoes in Wisconsin, but be on the lookout for potential wildfires and snowstorms in Colorado.
- The average summer high temperature in Colorado is 3 degrees warmer than in Wisconsin.
- The average winter lows are 6 degrees warmer than they are in Wisconsin.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Colorado. Colorado receives 18.4 fewer inches of rain compared to Wisconsin.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Wisconsin and Colorado
Comparison | Wisconsin | Colorado |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $70,996 | $89,302 |
Cost of Living Index | 95.65 | 98.3 |
State Income Tax | 3.54% - 7.65% | 4.63% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.68% | 0.49% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 5.42% | 7.65% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Healthcare, Agriculture | Aerospace, Technology, Tourism |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Colorado tend to earn about 26% more than in Wisconsin
- The COLI in Colorado will be 3% higher than what you are used to living in Wisconsin
- The state income tax in CO is 4.63% compared to 3.54% - 7.65% in WI
- The affluence in Colorado is high compared to moderate affluence in Wisconsin
- The poverty level is moderate in Colorado compared to low poverty in Wisconsin
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Wisconsin and moderate in Colorado
Political and Religious Climate in Wisconsin vs. Colorado
Comparison | Wisconsin | Colorado |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Swing State | Leans Democratic |
Local Politics | Mixed urban and rural influences | Urban areas lean more liberal, rural areas more conservative |
Religion | Christianity predominant, diverse religious communities | Less religiously affiliated, but diverse religious practices present |
- Wisconsin tends to lean swing State in its political climate
- Colorado, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Democratic
- Colorado's religious environment can be described as less religiously affiliated but with diverse religious practices present
- Wisconsin's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity with diverse religious communities
Education Guide When Moving from Wisconsin to Colorado
Comparison | Wisconsin | Colorado |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison; Marquette University Milwaukee; University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Milwaukee | University of Colorado Boulder Boulder; Colorado State University Fort Collins; University of Denver Denver |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Shorewood Hills Elementary Madison; Elmbrook Elementary Brookfield; Sunset Ridge Elementary Middleton | Mesa Elementary Boulder; Cherry Hills Village Elementary Cherry Hills Village; Heritage Elementary Highlands Ranch |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Whitefish Bay Middle Whitefish Bay; Velma Hamilton Middle Madison; Shorewood Intermediate Shorewood | Cresthill Middle Highlands Ranch; Summit Middle Boulder; Campus Middle Greenwood Village |
Top 3 High Schools | Whitefish Bay High Whitefish Bay; Middleton High Middleton; Homestead High Mequon | Cherry Creek High Greenwood Village; Fairview High Boulder; Rock Canyon High Highlands Ranch |
Top 3 private high schools | University School of Milwaukee Milwaukee; Edgewood High School Madison; St. John's Northwestern Academies Delafield | Colorado Academy Denver; Kent Denver School Englewood; Regis Jesuit High Aurora |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Brookfield Academy Brookfield; The Prairie School Racine; University School of Milwaukee Milwaukee | Graland Country Day School Denver; Colorado Academy Denver; Dawson School Lafayette |
Top 3 School Districts | Madison Metropolitan Madison; Elmbrook Brookfield; Mequon-Thiensville Mequon | Cherry Creek School District Greenwood Village; Boulder Valley School District Boulder; Douglas County School District Castle Rock |
How Much Do Wisconsin to Colorado Movers Cost?
Moving 1,098 miles from Wisconsin to Colorado will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-9.5 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Above Average Moving LLC
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,825 | 300 ft3 | $6.08 |
1 Bedroom | $2,715 | 450 ft3 | $6.03 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,487 | 750 ft3 | $5.98 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,527 | 1100 ft3 | $5.93 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,413 | 1600 ft3 | $5.88 |
5+ Bedrooms | $10,500 | 1800 ft3 | $5.83 |