Colorado Local Expert
Heidi Lim
“She's a blossoming plant nerd.”
See full bio
Making the Move from CO to New York: Is It Worth What You'll Spend?
Trading the Rocky Mountain skyline for the Manhattan skyline sounds like an obvious upgrade to some, but the reality of relocating from Colorado to New York catches plenty of movers off guard. Colorado offers wide open spaces, outdoor access at every turn, and a cost of living that feels manageable compared to what awaits on the East Coast. New York, by contrast, delivers unmatched energy, density, and opportunity, but asks a steep price in return, both financially and in the daily adjustments you never quite anticipate. Our Snappy Scout team (Heidi & Alexa) broke down the costs, logistics, and lifestyle shifts you need to understand before the first box gets packed.
Who's Behind This Guide
CO to New York Distance by the Numbers
Average distance
1,850miles
Typical route
I-70 E and I-76 E through the Midwest, connecting to I-80 E or I-76 E into the Northeast, then I-78 E or I-95 N into New York
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Denver, CO → New York City, NY
~1800 miles
Colorado Springs, CO → New York City, NY
~1850 miles
Aurora, CO → Buffalo, NY
~1750 miles
Fort Collins, CO → Albany, NY
~1900 miles
Pueblo, CO → Rochester, NY
~1950 miles
How Much Is Moving from CO to New York Really Going to Cost?
Moving 1,850 miles from Colorado to New York 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.
Will Your Personality Thrive in New York?
Well, it depends. If you're a Wall Street Exec, Tech Bro, or Beach Bum, you'll thrive in your move to New York. But if you're more of a CrossFit Regular, Adventure Junkie, or Cowboy, 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 New York.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from CO to NY
Wall Street Life
Colorado
5
/10
New York
9
/10
Colorado
Giving up
Finance jobs exist downtown but lack New York's intensity.
New York
Gaining
NYSE steps, power lunches at Delmonico's, Bloomberg chatter
Recommended NY cities/areas for Wall Street Execs
Manhattan Financial District
Colorado
5
/10
New York
9
/10
Tech Scene
Colorado
7
/10
New York
9
/10
Colorado
Giving up
Startup scene growing but lacks Silicon Valley's massive scale.
New York
Gaining
VC chatter, AWS lofts, NYU Tandon meetups
Recommended NY cities/areas for Tech Bros
FlatironDUMBOHudson Yards
Colorado
7
/10
New York
9
/10
Beach Culture
Colorado
2.5
/10
New York
4
/10
Colorado
Giving up
Lakes offer swimming but landlocked mountains aren't coastal paradise.
New York
Gaining
Fun Montauk days, but chilly Atlantic and LIE traffic
Recommended NY cities/areas for Beach Bums
MontaukFire IslandJones Beach
Colorado
2.5
/10
New York
4
/10
Adventure Activities
Colorado
10
/10
New York
6
/10
Colorado
Giving up
Rocky Mountain peaks, endless trails, world-class skiing await.
New York
Gaining
Gunks climbs, High Peaks bagging, Letchworth's canyon thrills
Recommended NY cities/areas for Adventure Junkies
Adirondack High PeaksShawangunksLetchworth
Colorado
10
/10
New York
6
/10
Fitness
Colorado
9
/10
New York
7
/10
Colorado
Giving up
High altitude training and Olympic Training Center fuel gains.
New York
Gaining
CrossFit Solace legend, waterfront WODs, Bills Mafia recovery
Recommended NY cities/areas for CrossFit Regulars
ChelseaLong IslandBuffalo
Colorado
9
/10
New York
7
/10
Cowboys
Colorado
3.5
/10
New York
2.5
/10
Colorado
Giving up
National Western Stock Show happens but ski culture dominates.
New York
Gaining
Painted Pony rodeos happen, but city sirens drown honky tonk
Recommended NY cities/areas for Cowboys
Lake LuzerneAtticaStony Creek
Colorado
3.5
/10
New York
2.5
/10
Local Perspective
What moment, smell, or ritual captures the soul of New York?
The smell of soft pretzels and dirty water dogs, the sound of waves crashing at Jones beach, and the sight of the Manhattan skyline as you cross the Throgs Neck Bridge after a roadtrip.
– Alexa Matthews
New York Local
Lifestyle differences between living in Colorado and living in New York
ColoradoNew York
CO vs New York: Battle of the Plates
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 New York
BECSPK is a Sunday ritual. Also, half and half is not something you put in your coffee - it's half iced tea, half lemonade, and it's basically mandatory for a beach day.
Alexa MatthewsNew York Local ExpertThe Unfiltered Tax Breakdown of Moving from CO to New York
Colorado
New York
ColoradovsNew York
State Income Tax
State Income TaxFlat 4.4% on all income
Progressive 4% to 10.9%, plus NYC and Yonkers local income taxes
Colorado
Flat 4.4% on all income
VS
New York
Progressive 4% to 10.9%, plus NYC and Yonkers local income taxes
Property Taxes
Property TaxesBroomfield and Boulder areas higher, rural counties lower
Long Island and Westchester highest, NYC lower effective rates, upstate counties moderate
Colorado
Broomfield and Boulder areas higher, rural counties lower
VS
New York
Long Island and Westchester highest, NYC lower effective rates, upstate counties moderate
From CO to New York: How Values, Beliefs, & Politics Change
Colorado
New York
ColoradovsNew York
People
PeopleCasual and low-key, friendly but hands-off, and deeply appreciative of sunshine and flexible plans
Direct, impatient in lines, generous in crises, subway savvy, opinionated, surprisingly neighborly
Colorado
Casual and low-key, friendly but hands-off, and deeply appreciative of sunshine and flexible plans
VS
New York
Direct, impatient in lines, generous in crises, subway savvy, opinionated, surprisingly neighborly
Politics
Purple turned blue, Front Range liberal, Western Slope conservative
Deep blue statewide, NYC progressive, suburbs swingy, upstate mixed, local races unpredictable
Colorado
Purple turned blue, Front Range liberal, Western Slope conservative
VS
New York
Deep blue statewide, NYC progressive, suburbs swingy, upstate mixed, local races unpredictable
Religion
ReligionMostly Christian with large unaffiliated population, growing secular
Plurality Christian, large Catholic, sizable Jewish in NYC, growing Muslim, Hindu, nonreligious
Colorado
Mostly Christian with large unaffiliated population, growing secular
VS
New York
Plurality Christian, large Catholic, sizable Jewish in NYC, growing Muslim, Hindu, nonreligious
Leaving CO Seasons Behind: What New York Climate Actually Looks Like
SUMMER
Colorado
crispy mornings, scorching afternoons (90s on the Front Range)
New York
subway sauna chic (sticky in NYC, kinder in the Adirondacks)
WINTER
Colorado
bluebird perfection interrupted by arctic blasts (mountains stay frozen)
New York
parka plus sass required (lake effect buries Buffalo, slush auditions in Manhattan)
My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in New York
The "ber" months in New York are unmatched. Whether you're apple picking in Hudson valley or cruising the parkway on Long Island to get to your favorite brewery, the vibrant foliage is an instant serotonin boost. And most of the fall months bring impeccable weather -- dry with moderate temperatures -- which give limitless potential to your fall pumpkin patch photoshoot wardrobe.
Alexa MatthewsNew York Local ExpertNext Steps
Learn More About Moving to New York
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 New York. No boring census stats... we promise! Just practical real advice from New York local experts.
Moving toAlbany
Shovel Wars, Stewart's Runs and Egg Lit Sunsets
