Colorado Local Expert
Heidi Lim
“She's a blossoming plant nerd.”
See full bio
JourneysMoving Journeys|From COMoving from Colorado|To CTMoving to Connecticut|Colorado → Connecticut
Relocating from Colorado to Connecticut: The Ultimate Moving Guide
Here is a state to state moving guide intro for Colorado to Connecticut: Trading the Rockies for the Northeast is one of those decisions that looks clean on a map but carries far more weight once you start digging into the details. Colorado and Connecticut sit on opposite ends of the country and opposite ends of nearly every lifestyle metric, from climate and cost of living to culture and commute patterns. The wide open mountain air and outdoor centric pace of Colorado gives way to dense shoreline towns, historic city grids, and a cost of living that will likely make your eyes water. Our Snappy Scout team (Heidi & Lynn) broke down the costs, logistics, and daily lifestyle shifts you need to understand before a single box gets taped shut.
Who's Behind This Guide
The Route from CO to CT
Average distance
1,950miles
Typical route
I-70 E, I-76 E, I-80 E, I-76 E (Pennsylvania), I-78 E, I-84 E
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Denver, CO → Hartford, CT
~1950 miles
Colorado Springs, CO → Bridgeport, CT
~2000 miles
Aurora, CO → New Haven, CT
~1950 miles
Boulder, CO → Stamford, CT
~2000 miles
Fort Collins, CO → Waterbury, CT
~1950 miles
Should You Move From Colorado to Connecticut Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to Connecticut from Colorado is the right call for your lifestyle and preferences.
Progress1 of 10 questions
Question 1 of 10
What kind of weather makes you happiest?
0/10answered
Live score
Collecting your answers and forming an opinion. Answer another question to see the results.
What to Prepare for CO to CT Moving Expenses
Moving 1,950 miles from Colorado to Connecticut 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
4–11days
Cost by home size
Studio
$1,260.00
1 Bedroom
$1,860.00
2 Bedrooms
$3,070.00
3 Bedrooms
$4,450.00
4 Bedrooms
$6,400.00
5+ Bedrooms
$7,110.00
| Home Size | Moving Cost | Volume (ft³) | $/ft³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,260.00 | 300 | $4.2 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,860.00 | 450 | $4.13 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $3,070.00 | 750 | $4.09 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $4,450.00 | 1,100 | $4.05 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $6,400.00 | 1,600 | $4 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $7,110.00 | 1,800 | $3.95 |
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 Kind of Person Wins After Moving from CO to CT?
Well, it depends. If you're a Binge Shopper, Garden Club Lifetime Member, or Stay at Home Mom, you'll thrive in your move to Connecticut. But if you're more of a Minimalist, Adventure Junkie, or CrossFit Regular, 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 Connecticut.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from CO to CT
Shopping
Colorado
4.5
/10
Connecticut
8.5
/10
Colorado
Giving up
Cherry Creek Shopping Center works but lacks major fashion capitals.
Connecticut
Gaining
Westfarms, Danbury Fair, Clinton Crossing sprees.
Recommended CT cities/areas for Binge Shoppers
Colorado
4.5
/10
Connecticut
8.5
/10
Gardener
Colorado
5.5
/10
Connecticut
8.5
/10
Colorado
Giving up
Denver Botanic Gardens inspire but short season and altitude challenge.
Connecticut
Gaining
Elizabeth Park roses, White Memorial blooms, Florence Griswold gardens.
Recommended CT cities/areas for Garden Club Lifetime Members
Colorado
5.5
/10
Connecticut
8.5
/10
Stay At Home Moms
Colorado
6.5
/10
Connecticut
9
/10
Colorado
Giving up
Family suburbs thrive but expensive housing squeezes budgets tight.
Connecticut
Gaining
Playgrounds, Lake Compounce weekends, library passes.
Recommended CT cities/areas for Stay at Home Moms
FairfieldSimsburyCheshire
Colorado
6.5
/10
Connecticut
9
/10
Adventure Activities
Colorado
10
/10
Connecticut
7
/10
Colorado
Giving up
Rocky Mountain peaks, endless trails, world-class skiing await.
Connecticut
Gaining
AT in Kent, Sleeping Giant climbing, Mooween mountain biking.
Recommended CT cities/areas for Adventure Junkies
KentHamdenLebanon
Colorado
10
/10
Connecticut
7
/10
Minimalism
Colorado
8.5
/10
Connecticut
6
/10
Colorado
Giving up
Tiny homes meet mountain living simplicity and purpose.
Connecticut
Gaining
Walkable condos, city life, Yale art.
Recommended CT cities/areas for Minimalists
Stamford Harbor PointNew Haven Downtown
Colorado
8.5
/10
Connecticut
6
/10
Local Perspective
What moment, smell, or ritual captures the soul of Connecticut?
The sound of seagulls. No matter how deep into the state you go, seagulls are still prevalent since Connecticut is such a small state. The sound of them is so familiar and brings to mind memories of salt air and waves crashing, or twigs snapping under my feet as I hike along a riverside trail.
– Lynn Nelthropp
Connecticut Local
Lifestyle differences between living in Colorado and living in Connecticut
ColoradoConnecticut
Forget the Guidebooks: Here's How Locals Really Eat in CO and CT
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 Connecticut
Pizza with a Foxon Park soda (Birch Beer for me)
Lobster Roll, CT style (warm w/ butter)
New England Clam Chowder
Steamed Cheeseburgers
Lynn NelthroppConnecticut Local ExpertThe Straight Tax Picture of Moving to CT from CO
Colorado
Connecticut
ColoradovsConnecticut
State Income Tax
State Income TaxFlat 4.4% on all income
Progressive 2% to 6.99%; lower brackets reduced in 2024; credits phase out.
Colorado
Flat 4.4% on all income
VS
Connecticut
Progressive 2% to 6.99%; lower brackets reduced in 2024; credits phase out.
Property Taxes
Property TaxesBroomfield and Boulder areas higher, rural counties lower
High mill rates in Hartford, New Haven, & Bridgeport; suburbs like Greenwich, Westport lower.
Colorado
Broomfield and Boulder areas higher, rural counties lower
VS
Connecticut
High mill rates in Hartford, New Haven, & Bridgeport; suburbs like Greenwich, Westport lower.
What Connects CO and CT: Values, Beliefs, & Politics
Colorado
Connecticut
ColoradovsConnecticut
People
PeopleCasual and low-key, friendly but hands-off, and deeply appreciative of sunshine and flexible plans
Politely reserved, town-focused, preppy coastal pockets w/ maritime history, surprisingly neighborly, dry humor.
Colorado
Casual and low-key, friendly but hands-off, and deeply appreciative of sunshine and flexible plans
VS
Connecticut
Politely reserved, town-focused, preppy coastal pockets w/ maritime history, surprisingly neighborly, dry humor.
Politics
Purple turned blue, Front Range liberal, Western Slope conservative
Solidly blue statewide; cities deep Democratic; Fairfield County suburbs moderate; eastern towns mixed.
Colorado
Purple turned blue, Front Range liberal, Western Slope conservative
VS
Connecticut
Solidly blue statewide; cities deep Democratic; Fairfield County suburbs moderate; eastern towns mixed.
Religion
ReligionMostly Christian with large unaffiliated population, growing secular
Catholic largest; many mainline Protestant; sizable Jewish community in West Hartford, Stamford; rising unaffiliated.
Colorado
Mostly Christian with large unaffiliated population, growing secular
VS
Connecticut
Catholic largest; many mainline Protestant; sizable Jewish community in West Hartford, Stamford; rising unaffiliated.
Leaving CO Winters Behind: What CT Weather Really Feels Like
SUMMER
Colorado
crispy mornings, scorching afternoons (90s on the Front Range)
Connecticut
Lobsta' roll sauna mode (Inland bakes while the coast gets some natural AC).
WINTER
Colorado
bluebird perfection interrupted by arctic blasts (mountains stay frozen)
Connecticut
Making me wonder why I live somewhere that makes my face hurt.
My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in Connecticut
Winter: Listening to the snow fall on the trees. And spending weekends in warm museums.
Spring: Nature waking up and everything getting green and colorful again. Visiting beautiful parks.
Summer: Spending days along the shore and in the water. There are dozens of boat excursions to try in the sound.
Fall: The smell of crisp leaves, sipping hot apple cider, and eating freshly made apple cider donuts.
Lynn NelthroppConnecticut Local ExpertNext Steps
Learn More About Moving to Connecticut
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 Connecticut. No boring census stats... we promise! Just practical real advice from Connecticut local experts.
Moving toBridgeport
Pack Your Fixer-Upper Dreams and Loosest Pants
Moving toDanbury
Get Ready for Strip Malls and Brazilian BBQ
Moving toHartford
Bushnell Jazz, Yard Goats, Raincoats Required
