Colorado Local Expert
Heidi Lim
“She's a blossoming plant nerd.”
See full bio
JourneysMoving Journeys|From COMoving from Colorado|To PAMoving to Pennsylvania|Colorado → Pennsylvania
From Colorado to Pennsylvania: How Much You'll Actually Spend
Swapping the Rocky Mountains for the Appalachians might sound like a lateral trade, but Colorado and Pennsylvania pull in very different directions once you settle into daily life. Colorado lures people with sunshine, outdoor access, and a laid back western pace, while Pennsylvania answers back with deep history, dense greenery, and the kind of four season weather that actually means all four seasons. The altitude alone can feel like a personality trait you have to leave behind. Our Snappy Scout team (Heidi & Alyssa) broke down the costs, logistics, and lifestyle shifts you should think through before you start loading the truck.
Who's Behind This Guide
Renting a Moving Truck from Colorado to Pennsylvania
Average distance
1,650miles
Typical route
I-70 E is the primary highway for this route, stretching across the country and connecting Colorado directly to Pennsylvania. Drivers typically follow I-70 E through Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio before entering Pennsylvania.
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Denver, CO → Philadelphia, PA
~1700 miles
Denver, CO → Pittsburgh, PA
~1600 miles
Colorado Springs, CO → Philadelphia, PA
~1750 miles
Aurora, CO → Allentown, PA
~1700 miles
Fort Collins, CO → Harrisburg, PA
~1650 miles
Should You Move From Colorado to Pennsylvania Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to Pennsylvania 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.
How Much Is Relocating from Colorado to Pennsylvania Going to Set You Back?
Moving 1,650 miles from Colorado to Pennsylvania 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 Way of Life Survive in Pennsylvania?
Well, it depends. If you're a Cowboy, Garden Club Lifetime Member, or Vintage Thrifter, you'll thrive in your move to Pennsylvania. But if you're more of a Yoga Instructor, CrossFit Regular, or Tech Bro, 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 Pennsylvania.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from CO to PA
Cowboys
Colorado
3.5
/10
Pennsylvania
5
/10
Colorado
Giving up
National Western Stock Show happens but ski culture dominates.
Pennsylvania
Gaining
Bloomsburg Fair and rodeos exist, but this is not Fort Worth
Recommended PA cities/areas for Cowboys
BloomsburgWashington
Colorado
3.5
/10
Pennsylvania
5
/10
Gardener
Colorado
5.5
/10
Pennsylvania
7
/10
Colorado
Giving up
Denver Botanic Gardens inspire but short season and altitude challenge.
Pennsylvania
Gaining
Longwood Gardens glam, Phipps Conservatory blooms year round
Recommended PA cities/areas for Garden Club Lifetime Members
Kennett SquarePittsburgh
Colorado
5.5
/10
Pennsylvania
7
/10
Thrifting
Colorado
6.5
/10
Pennsylvania
8
/10
Colorado
Giving up
Buffalo Exchange, Decade thrift shops and Boulder’s vintage and resale scene offer mountain retro finds.
Pennsylvania
Gaining
Strip District finds, South Street racks, Neighborhood Flea weekends
Recommended PA cities/areas for Vintage Thrifters
PittsburghPhiladelphia
Colorado
6.5
/10
Pennsylvania
8
/10
Yoga
Colorado
9.5
/10
Pennsylvania
6.5
/10
Colorado
Giving up
Mountain zen and Red Rocks Yoga sessions thrive.
Pennsylvania
Gaining
Schuylkill sunset flows, Delaware Canal zen, Morris Arboretum calm
Recommended PA cities/areas for Yoga Instructors
PhiladelphiaNew Hope
Colorado
9.5
/10
Pennsylvania
6.5
/10
Fitness
Colorado
9
/10
Pennsylvania
7
/10
Colorado
Giving up
High altitude training and Olympic Training Center fuel gains.
Pennsylvania
Gaining
Boxes everywhere, Broad Street Run vibes boost PRs
Recommended PA cities/areas for CrossFit Regulars
PhiladelphiaKing of Prussia
Colorado
9
/10
Pennsylvania
7
/10
Tech Scene
Colorado
7
/10
Pennsylvania
5.5
/10
Colorado
Giving up
Startup scene growing but lacks Silicon Valley's massive scale.
Pennsylvania
Gaining
CMU robotics, Argo AI alumni, uCity Square startups buzzing
Recommended PA cities/areas for Tech Bros
PittsburghPhiladelphia
Colorado
7
/10
Pennsylvania
5.5
/10
Local Perspective
What moment, smell, or ritual captures the soul of Pennsylvania?
Walking through a farmer's market filled with local vendors selling everything from fresh-picked sweet corn and homemade muffins to vintage records and found art represents the diverse communities in PA.
– Alyssa Kruse
Pennsylvania Local
Lifestyle differences between living in Colorado and living in Pennsylvania
ColoradoPennsylvania
Colorado vs Pennsylvania: How Locals Actually Eat
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 Pennsylvania
To order a cheesesteak:
1. Pick your cheese: Whiz, prov, or American (Cooper Sharp is the best)
2. "Wit" or "Witout": do you want fried onions or not (you do!)
3. Move it. You're probably double-parked!
Alyssa KrusePennsylvania Local ExpertThe Unfiltered Tax Shift of Moving from Colorado to Pennsylvania
Colorado
Pennsylvania
ColoradovsPennsylvania
State Income Tax
State Income TaxFlat 4.4% on all income
Flat 3.07% statewide, plus local EIT, Philly wage tax notable
Colorado
Flat 4.4% on all income
VS
Pennsylvania
Flat 3.07% statewide, plus local EIT, Philly wage tax notable
Property Taxes
Property TaxesBroomfield and Boulder areas higher, rural counties lower
High in Philly suburbs (Montco, Bucks), moderate Pittsburgh region, lower rural counties
Colorado
Broomfield and Boulder areas higher, rural counties lower
VS
Pennsylvania
High in Philly suburbs (Montco, Bucks), moderate Pittsburgh region, lower rural counties
From Colorado to Pennsylvania: How Values, Beliefs, & Politics Look Different
Colorado
Pennsylvania
ColoradovsPennsylvania
People
PeopleCasual and low-key, friendly but hands-off, and deeply appreciative of sunshine and flexible plans
Gritty, neighborly, sports obsessed, Philly Pittsburgh rivalry, small town polite, big city direct
Colorado
Casual and low-key, friendly but hands-off, and deeply appreciative of sunshine and flexible plans
VS
Pennsylvania
Gritty, neighborly, sports obsessed, Philly Pittsburgh rivalry, small town polite, big city direct
Politics
Purple turned blue, Front Range liberal, Western Slope conservative
Classic swing state: Philly and Pittsburgh blue, central and northern counties red, suburbs purple
Colorado
Purple turned blue, Front Range liberal, Western Slope conservative
VS
Pennsylvania
Classic swing state: Philly and Pittsburgh blue, central and northern counties red, suburbs purple
Religion
ReligionMostly Christian with large unaffiliated population, growing secular
Mostly Christian, large Catholic share, notable Jewish communities, growing Muslim and Hindu, rising unaffiliated
Colorado
Mostly Christian with large unaffiliated population, growing secular
VS
Pennsylvania
Mostly Christian, large Catholic share, notable Jewish communities, growing Muslim and Hindu, rising unaffiliated
Leaving Colorado Seasons Behind: What Pennsylvania Seasons Really Looks Like
SUMMER
Colorado
crispy mornings, scorching afternoons (90s on the Front Range)
Pennsylvania
Philly subway sauna vibes (sticky 90s with humidity that makes it feel like 100°). The mountain evenings are merciful in the Poconos.
WINTER
Colorado
bluebird perfection interrupted by arctic blasts (mountains stay frozen)
Pennsylvania
choose your own chill. Lake Erie flurries can go blizzard mode, Philly gets slush usually right after you shovel, and the Poconos snow pack gets real cold.
My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in Pennsylvania
Winter: The smell of snow on the air. Warm cozy fires. Christkindle Markets.
Spring: Blooming daffodils and tulips. Hiking through the waking woods. Rainy days, reading inside.
Summer: Farmer's markets, outdoor music, small town art shows, festivals every weekend.
Fall: Gorgeous foliage, coffeehouse tours, Halloween parades
Alyssa KrusePennsylvania Local ExpertNext Steps
Learn More About Moving to Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania. No boring census stats... we promise! Just practical real advice from Pennsylvania local experts.
