Colorado Local Expert
Heidi Lim
“I am a Colorado native through and through, and have picked up the kind of local awareness you only get…”
Read more about me
Moving to California from CO: A Complete Moving Checklist
Trading mountain peaks for Pacific coastlines seems like a natural next step for many outdoor lovers, but the reality of relocating from Colorado to California carries far more complexity than the scenery suggests. Colorado offers a grounded, four seasons lifestyle with relatively manageable living costs, while California answers back with endless sunshine, a booming economy, and a price tag that can catch even the most prepared movers off guard. Our Snappy Scout team (Heidi & Jessica) dug into the costs, logistics, and lifestyle shifts you should plan for before you start loading the truck.
Our Local Experts Guiding Your Move
Driving Your Own Move from Colorado to CA
Average distance
1,050miles
Typical route
I-70 W to I-15 S or I-80 W depending on your origin and destination cities
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Denver, CO → Los Angeles, CA
~1050 miles
Denver, CO → San Francisco, CA
~1250 miles
Colorado Springs, CO → San Diego, CA
~1050 miles
Pueblo, CO → Sacramento, CA
~1200 miles
Grand Junction, CO → Los Angeles, CA
~800 miles
What to Prepare for Colorado to CA Moving Costs
Moving 1,050 miles from Colorado to California will typically cost between $2,500.00 and $4,500.00 to hire full service movers. See the breakdown below by home size.
Expected Range
$2,500.00–$4,500.00
Expected Time
3–10days
Cost by home size
Studio
$1,290.00
1 Bedroom
$1,900.00
2 Bedrooms
$3,130.00
3 Bedrooms
$4,540.00
4 Bedrooms
$6,520.00
5+ Bedrooms
$7,250.00
| Home Size | Moving Cost | Volume (ft³) | $/ft³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,290.00 | 300 | $4.3 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,900.00 | 450 | $4.22 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $3,130.00 | 750 | $4.17 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $4,540.00 | 1,100 | $4.13 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $6,520.00 | 1,600 | $4.08 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $7,250.00 | 1,800 | $4.03 |
How we calculated these numbers: We reached out to the owners and operators of more than a dozen nationwide moving companies to figure out how they factor in mileage, weight, volume, timing, origin & termination locations, and approximate home sizes to determine a moving estimate. The results above are what the data nerds at Snappy Scout created based on that info.
What Type of Person Regrets It After Moving from Colorado to CA?
Well, it depends. If you're a Surfer Dude, Binge Shopper, or Vintage Thrifter, you'll thrive in your move to California. But if you're more of a Minimalist, Stay at Home Mom, or Adventure Junkie, settling into your new home state may be a bit of a challenge. We scored a variety of different “personalities” on a 10-point scale to show you what to expect from a lifestyle perspective with a relocation from Colorado to California.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from CO to CA
Surfing
Colorado
4
/10
California
10
/10
Colorado
Giving up
South Platte River waves exist but it's no ocean swell (very niche).
California
Gaining
Huntington Pier mornings, Malibu points, Santa Cruz Boardwalk vibes
Recommended CA cities/areas for Surfer Dudes
Huntington BeachSanta CruzMalibu
Colorado
4
/10
California
10
/10
Shopping
Colorado
4.5
/10
California
8
/10
Colorado
Giving up
Cherry Creek Shopping Center works but lacks major fashion capitals.
California
Gaining
Rodeo struts, South Coast Plaza splurges, Valley Fair’s quiet luxury
Recommended CA cities/areas for Binge Shoppers
South Coast PlazaRodeo DriveValley Fair
Colorado
4.5
/10
California
8
/10
Thrifting
Colorado
6.5
/10
California
8.5
/10
Colorado
Giving up
Buffalo Exchange, Decade thrift shops and Boulder’s vintage and resale scene offer mountain retro finds.
California
Gaining
Rose Bowl Flea scoops, Crossroads hunts, Wasteland gold
Recommended CA cities/areas for Vintage Thrifters
MelroseHaight-AshburyLong Beach Retro Row
Colorado
6.5
/10
California
8.5
/10
Minimalism
Colorado
8.5
/10
California
7
/10
Colorado
Giving up
Tiny homes meet mountain living simplicity and purpose.
California
Gaining
Clean design, tiny homes, desert modernism
Recommended CA cities/areas for Minimalists
Colorado
8.5
/10
California
7
/10
Stay At Home Moms
Colorado
6.5
/10
California
5.5
/10
Colorado
Giving up
Family suburbs thrive but expensive housing squeezes budgets tight.
California
Gaining
Great Park playgrounds, Legoland weekends, suburban swim meets
Recommended CA cities/areas for Stay at Home Moms
Colorado
6.5
/10
California
5.5
/10
Adventure Activities
Colorado
10
/10
California
9.5
/10
Colorado
Giving up
Rocky Mountain peaks, endless trails, world-class skiing await.
California
Gaining
Half Dome dreams, Tahoe powder, Joshua Tree bouldering
Recommended CA cities/areas for Adventure Junkies
YosemiteLake TahoeJoshua Tree
Colorado
10
/10
California
9.5
/10
Local Perspective
What moment, smell, or ritual captures the soul of California?
I adore the smell of pine when I’m camping away from the city. It’s a reminder that even with all the traffic, commotion, overcrowding, pollution, and noise, there are places for stillness and quiet reflection. Before I unload the car and set up at the campsite, I take a few minutes to fill my lungs with the fresh air.
– Jessica Montes
California Local
Lifestyle differences between living in Colorado and living in California
ColoradoCalifornia
Forget the Food Blogs: Here's How Locals Really Eat in Colorado and CA
Eating Like a Local in Colorado
Order cautiously: Rocky Mountain Oysters are NOT oysters. They’re bull testicles. But they’re deep-fried, and let’s be honest, anything deep-fried has a fighting chance.
Heidi LimColorado Local ExpertEating Like a Local in California
You can start the morning with an iced oat latte, grab an double-double with animal style fries (cheese, onions, and special sauce) from In-and-Out for lunch, and end with street dogs after a show. Also know as danger dogs, these bun-wrapped meals are topped with grilled onions and bell peppers. You can find the vendors outside of clubs/ bars on the weekends or by the dozens in concert parking lots. Why waste time driving when dinner is right in front of you?
Jessica MontesCalifornia Local ExpertThe Straight Tax Impact of Moving to CA from Colorado
Colorado
California
ColoradovsCalifornia
State Income Tax
State Income TaxFlat 4.4% on all income
Progressive 1% to 12.3%, plus 1% mental health surcharge over $1M
Colorado
Flat 4.4% on all income
VS
California
Progressive 1% to 12.3%, plus 1% mental health surcharge over $1M
Property Taxes
Property TaxesBroomfield and Boulder areas higher, rural counties lower
Prop 13 around 1% base, bigger add ons in LA and SF, lower inland
Colorado
Broomfield and Boulder areas higher, rural counties lower
VS
California
Prop 13 around 1% base, bigger add ons in LA and SF, lower inland
What Connects Colorado and CA: People, Politics, & Religion
Colorado
California
ColoradovsCalifornia
People
PeopleCasual and low-key, friendly but hands-off, and deeply appreciative of sunshine and flexible plans
Laid back yet hustling, diverse, outdoorsy, friendly, occasionally impatient behind the wheel
Colorado
Casual and low-key, friendly but hands-off, and deeply appreciative of sunshine and flexible plans
VS
California
Laid back yet hustling, diverse, outdoorsy, friendly, occasionally impatient behind the wheel
Politics
Purple turned blue, Front Range liberal, Western Slope conservative
Solidly blue statewide, coastal cities are progressive, inland valleys and Sierras lean conservative
Colorado
Purple turned blue, Front Range liberal, Western Slope conservative
VS
California
Solidly blue statewide, coastal cities are progressive, inland valleys and Sierras lean conservative
Religion
ReligionMostly Christian with large unaffiliated population, growing secular
No majority, many unaffiliated, big Catholic share, notable Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh
Colorado
Mostly Christian with large unaffiliated population, growing secular
VS
California
No majority, many unaffiliated, big Catholic share, notable Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh
Leaving Colorado Winters Behind: What CA Weather Actually Feels Like
SUMMER
Colorado
crispy mornings, scorching afternoons (90s on the Front Range)
California
microclimate roulette wheel (June gloom hugs the coast, blast furnace rules the Central Valley)
WINTER
Colorado
bluebird perfection interrupted by arctic blasts (mountains stay frozen)
California
dress in layers, call it winter (Bay gets nippy, Sierras turns icebox, desert nights bite)
My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in California
I love apple picking in Fall in Oakglen. Most farms make it a whole, family-friendly event where you can poke through corn mazes, ride tractors, and make your own cider. You’ll try apple varieties you’ve never heard of that have the perfect crunch.
Jessica MontesCalifornia Local ExpertNext Steps
Learn More About Moving to California
By now, you're hopefully fully aware that at Snappy Scout, our moving guides aren't like the rest! Now that you've compared the aspects of leaving behind Colorado, take a deeper dive into the specifics of moving to California. No boring census stats... we promise! Just practical real advice from California local experts.
Moving toBakersfield
Brace for Heat, Basque Food & Buck Owens
Moving toIndio
Pack Sunscreen and Lower Your Coffee Standards
Moving toIrvine
Prep Your Wallet and Love Beige Stucco
