Colorado Local Expert
Heidi Lim
“She's a blossoming plant nerd.”
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Leaving Colorado for Florida: What Life Is Really Like
Trading mountain peaks for sandy beaches seems like a dream upgrade, but the reality of leaving Colorado for Florida comes with more culture shock than most people anticipate. Colorado offers crisp, dry air and an outdoor lifestyle built around skiing, hiking, and mild summers, while Florida counters with year-round warmth, coastal living, and humidity that hits you the moment you step off the plane. The two states could not feel more different when you actually settle in and start building a routine. Our Snappy Scout team (Heidi & Vanessa) broke down the costs, logistics, and lifestyle shifts you need to understand before you start loading the moving truck.
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Who's Behind This Guide
The Road from Colorado to FL
Average distance
1,950miles
Typical route
The drive from Colorado to Florida typically takes you along I-25 South, I-40 East, and I-10 East, or alternatively I-70 East connecting to I-75 South depending on your origin and destination cities.
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Denver, CO → Miami, FL
~2050 miles
Denver, CO → Orlando, FL
~1950 miles
Colorado Springs, CO → Tampa, FL
~1900 miles
Aurora, CO → Jacksonville, FL
~1850 miles
Fort Collins, CO → Tallahassee, FL
~1950 miles
Should You Move From Colorado to Florida Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to Florida 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 Colorado to FL Moving Quotes
Moving 1,950 miles from Colorado to Florida 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.
That's the average.
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What Kind of Person Flourishes After Moving from Colorado to FL?
Well, it depends. If you're a Beach Bum, Surfer Dude, or Binge Shopper, you'll thrive in your move to Florida. But if you're more of a Hipster, Minimalist, or Stay at Home Mom, 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 Florida.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from CO to FL
Beach Culture
Colorado
2.5
/10
Florida
10
/10
Colorado
Giving up
Lakes offer swimming but landlocked mountains aren't coastal paradise.
Florida
Gaining
Year-round surf, sand, and Margaritaville moods everywhere you go.
Recommended FL cities/areas for Beach Bums
MiamiKey WestDaytona Beach
Colorado
2.5
/10
Florida
10
/10
Surfing
Colorado
4
/10
Florida
9
/10
Colorado
Giving up
South Platte River waves exist but it's no ocean swell (very niche).
Florida
Gaining
Ron Jon Surf Shop was practically built for you
Recommended FL cities/areas for Surfer Dudes
Cocoa BeachNew Smyrna Beach
Colorado
4
/10
Florida
9
/10
Shopping
Colorado
4.5
/10
Florida
6.5
/10
Colorado
Giving up
Cherry Creek Shopping Center works but lacks major fashion capitals.
Florida
Gaining
Outlet heaven, but your credit card might melt in the sun.
Recommended FL cities/areas for Binge Shoppers
OrlandoAventuraPalm Beach
Colorado
4.5
/10
Florida
6.5
/10
Hipsters
Colorado
8.5
/10
Florida
5
/10
Colorado
Giving up
Street art alleys and Snooze AM Eatery brunches dominate.
Florida
Gaining
Art murals pop, but ironic beards wilt in the humidity.
Recommended FL cities/areas for Hipsters
Colorado
8.5
/10
Florida
5
/10
Minimalism
Colorado
8.5
/10
Florida
5.5
/10
Colorado
Giving up
Tiny homes meet mountain living simplicity and purpose.
Florida
Gaining
Luxury condos and bold prints clash with your neutral aesthetic.
Recommended FL cities/areas for Minimalists
Miami BeachNaplesOrlando
Colorado
8.5
/10
Florida
5.5
/10
Stay At Home Moms
Colorado
6.5
/10
Florida
4.5
/10
Colorado
Giving up
Family suburbs thrive but expensive housing squeezes budgets tight.
Florida
Gaining
Great schools and sunshine, but theme park chaos looms close.
Recommended FL cities/areas for Stay at Home Moms
WellingtonWestonWindermere
Colorado
6.5
/10
Florida
4.5
/10
Local Perspective
What moment, smell, or ritual captures the soul of Florida?
All the festivals and outdoor events! That's why I moved here. I wanted to get outside more, and this state caters to that perfectly. No matter what city you're in, rest assured every weekend there is some big market, festival, event, sports club, or other attraction happening somewhere near you (or a short-ish drive away), all year long.
– Vanessa Leikvoll
Florida Local
Lifestyle differences between living in Colorado and living in Florida
ColoradoFlorida
The Unwritten Food Rules of Eating Like a Local in Colorado and FL
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 Florida
This really varies by where in Florida you are. But, generally, Cuban and Latin-inspired food here is very popular, as well as what I refer to as "beach bar food:" coconut shrimp, grouper bites, crab cakes, gator bites, fish tacos, and of course, margaritas (especially spicy ones with a Tajin rim).
I don't think there are any unspoken rules here, per se, except that you always want to get the freshest fish available, such as mahi mahi or grouper, and skip the conventional white fish.
Vanessa LeikvollFlorida Local ExpertFlorida looking like
the right move?
There’s one more number worth knowing: what it’ll cost to get there.
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The Straight Tax Story of Moving to FL from Colorado
Colorado
Florida
ColoradovsFlorida
State Income Tax
State Income TaxFlat 4.4% on all income
None. Sunshine is free, and so is your paycheck.
Colorado
Flat 4.4% on all income
VS
Florida
None. Sunshine is free, and so is your paycheck.
Property Taxes
Property TaxesBroomfield and Boulder areas higher, rural counties lower
Moderate overall; Miami-Dade higher, Panhandle pleasantly lower.
Colorado
Broomfield and Boulder areas higher, rural counties lower
VS
Florida
Moderate overall; Miami-Dade higher, Panhandle pleasantly lower.
What Defines Colorado and FL: Culture, Politics, & Faith
Colorado
Florida
ColoradovsFlorida
People
PeopleCasual and low-key, friendly but hands-off, and deeply appreciative of sunshine and flexible plans
Friendly but eccentric; equal parts laid-back, loud, and lightning-fast with opinions.
Colorado
Casual and low-key, friendly but hands-off, and deeply appreciative of sunshine and flexible plans
VS
Florida
Friendly but eccentric; equal parts laid-back, loud, and lightning-fast with opinions.
Politics
Purple turned blue, Front Range liberal, Western Slope conservative
A wild beach party of red and blue—expect flip-flops and fiery debates.
Colorado
Purple turned blue, Front Range liberal, Western Slope conservative
VS
Florida
A wild beach party of red and blue—expect flip-flops and fiery debates.
Religion
ReligionMostly Christian with large unaffiliated population, growing secular
Mostly Christian, with Catholic and evangelical strongholds; growing Jewish and nonreligious communities.
Colorado
Mostly Christian with large unaffiliated population, growing secular
VS
Florida
Mostly Christian, with Catholic and evangelical strongholds; growing Jewish and nonreligious communities.
Leaving Colorado Winters Behind: What FL Climate Actually Feels Like
SUMMER
Colorado
crispy mornings, scorching afternoons (90s on the Front Range)
Florida
Just plain hot (triple digits and 98% humidity in Miami)
WINTER
Colorado
bluebird perfection interrupted by arctic blasts (mountains stay frozen)
Florida
Sweater optional (unless you're in the Panhandle, then it's gloves and regret)
My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in Florida
I personally love the holiday season in Florida. No matter where in the state you are, every city seems to go all-out with its decorations, lights, festivities, and holiday markets. Everyone thinks Florida is just year-long summer vibes, but we sure know how to put on our holiday best.
Vanessa LeikvollFlorida Local Expert✧ You've researched the move ✧
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Next Steps
Learn More About Moving to Florida
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 Florida. No boring census stats... we promise! Just practical real advice from Florida local experts.
Moving toSt. Petersburg
Glow Shuffle, IPAs, HOAs, Flood Maps
