Colorado Local Expert
Heidi Lim
“She's a blossoming plant nerd.”
See full bio
Moving to Texas from CO: Is It the Right Move for You?
Trading mountain peaks for wide open plains is a bigger adjustment than most people expect, and a Colorado to Texas move is no exception. Colorado spoils residents with mild summers, outdoor adventure at every turn, and a laid back culture built around the mountains. Texas, by contrast, delivers blazing heat, bigger cities, and a bold identity all its own. The cost of living shift can work in your favor, but the lifestyle differences go far deeper than the weather. Our Snappy Scout team (Heidi & Francesca) broke down the costs, logistics, and day to day changes you need to know before loading up the moving truck.
Who's Behind This Guide
Could You Rent a Moving Truck from CO to TX?
Average distance
900miles
Typical route
Most routes from Colorado to Texas follow I-25 South as the primary corridor, connecting Denver through Pueblo and into New Mexico before entering Texas near Raton or continuing east via I-40. Eastern Colorado routes often use US-287 or US-385 South for a more direct path into the Texas Panhandle.
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Denver, CO → Dallas, TX
~1000 miles
Denver, CO → Houston, TX
~1150 miles
Colorado Springs, CO → San Antonio, TX
~950 miles
Pueblo, CO → Amarillo, TX
~400 miles
Grand Junction, CO → El Paso, TX
~750 miles
Should You Move From Colorado to Texas Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to Texas 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 to TX from CO Going to Run You?
Moving 900 miles from Colorado to Texas will typically cost between $2,500.00 and $5,000.00 to hire full service movers. See the breakdown below by home size.
Expected Range
$2,500.00–$5,000.00
Expected Time
3–10days
Cost by home size
Studio
$1,350.00
1 Bedroom
$2,000.00
2 Bedrooms
$3,310.00
3 Bedrooms
$4,790.00
4 Bedrooms
$6,900.00
5+ Bedrooms
$7,670.00
| Home Size | Moving Cost | Volume (ft³) | $/ft³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,350.00 | 300 | $4.5 |
| 1 Bedroom | $2,000.00 | 450 | $4.44 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $3,310.00 | 750 | $4.41 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $4,790.00 | 1,100 | $4.35 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $6,900.00 | 1,600 | $4.31 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $7,670.00 | 1,800 | $4.26 |
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 Vibe Survive in TX?
Well, it depends. If you're a Cowboy, Surfer Dude, or Tech Bro, you'll thrive in your move to Texas. But if you're more of a Minimalist, Coffee Snob, or PTA President, 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 Texas.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from CO to TX
Cowboys
Colorado
3.5
/10
Texas
9.5
/10
Colorado
Giving up
National Western Stock Show happens but ski culture dominates.
Texas
Gaining
Fort Worth Stockyards rodeos and Amarillo’s Big Texan steak challenge
Recommended TX cities/areas for Cowboys
Fort WorthAmarillo
Colorado
3.5
/10
Texas
9.5
/10
Surfing
Colorado
4
/10
Texas
5.5
/10
Colorado
Giving up
South Platte River waves exist but it's no ocean swell (very niche).
Texas
Gaining
South Padre waves are decent even if they never reach the heights of California curls
Recommended TX cities/areas for Surfer Dudes
South Padre Island
Colorado
4
/10
Texas
5.5
/10
Tech Scene
Colorado
7
/10
Texas
8
/10
Colorado
Giving up
Startup scene growing but lacks Silicon Valley's massive scale.
Texas
Gaining
Austin’s laid back Silicon Hills startups and Plano’s corporate tech parks
Recommended TX cities/areas for Tech Bros
AustinPlano
Colorado
7
/10
Texas
8
/10
Minimalism
Colorado
8.5
/10
Texas
2
/10
Colorado
Giving up
Tiny homes meet mountain living simplicity and purpose.
Texas
Gaining
Austin tries minimal, but Texas overall thrives on bigger, louder, and more
Recommended TX cities/areas for Minimalists
Colorado
8.5
/10
Texas
2
/10
Coffee Culture
Colorado
8.5
/10
Texas
5
/10
Colorado
Giving up
Corvus Coffee and third-wave roasters fuel the scene.
Texas
Gaining
Austin’s Houndstooth Coffee aces traditional espresso, and Ascension Coffee in Dallas offers gourmet twists
Recommended TX cities/areas for Coffee Snobs
AustinDallas
Colorado
8.5
/10
Texas
5
/10
PTA Life
Colorado
6
/10
Texas
2.5
/10
Colorado
Giving up
Good schools exist but housing costs strain family finances.
Texas
Gaining
Top schools thrive but Texas football's Friday night lights always outshine bake sales
Recommended TX cities/areas for PTA Presidents
PlanoKaty
Colorado
6
/10
Texas
2.5
/10
Local Perspective
What moment, smell, or ritual captures the soul of Texas?
Summer thunderstorms in Texas are loud, powerful, and offer a welcome break from the heat.
– Francesca Hernandez-Singer
Texas Local
Lifestyle differences between living in Colorado and living in Texas
ColoradoTexas
How Locals Actually Live and Eat in CO and TX
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 Texas
Breakfast tacos are on flour tortillas, BBQ means beef, and the margaritas come with salt on the rim unless you order without.
Francesca Hernandez-SingerLocal Texas ExpertThe Unfiltered Tax Difference of Moving to TX from CO
Colorado
Texas
ColoradovsTexas
State Income Tax
State Income TaxFlat 4.4% on all income
None, zero percent statewide!!
Colorado
Flat 4.4% on all income
VS
Texas
None, zero percent statewide!!
Property Taxes
Property TaxesBroomfield and Boulder areas higher, rural counties lower
Houston and Dallas areas higher, smaller cities slightly lower
Colorado
Broomfield and Boulder areas higher, rural counties lower
VS
Texas
Houston and Dallas areas higher, smaller cities slightly lower
The Political, Cultural, & Religious Divide of CO vs TX
Colorado
Texas
ColoradovsTexas
People
PeopleCasual and low-key, friendly but hands-off, and deeply appreciative of sunshine and flexible plans
Famously friendly, fiercely proud, big on hospitality
Colorado
Casual and low-key, friendly but hands-off, and deeply appreciative of sunshine and flexible plans
VS
Texas
Famously friendly, fiercely proud, big on hospitality
Politics
Purple turned blue, Front Range liberal, Western Slope conservative
Deep red roots, but cities (especially Austin) swing progressive
Colorado
Purple turned blue, Front Range liberal, Western Slope conservative
VS
Texas
Deep red roots, but cities (especially Austin) swing progressive
Religion
ReligionMostly Christian with large unaffiliated population, growing secular
Mostly Christian, strong Baptist presence, growing diversity
Colorado
Mostly Christian with large unaffiliated population, growing secular
VS
Texas
Mostly Christian, strong Baptist presence, growing diversity
What Locals Think About the Weather in CO and TX
SUMMER
Colorado
crispy mornings, scorching afternoons (90s on the Front Range)
Texas
blast furnace (triple digits in West Texas)
WINTER
Colorado
bluebird perfection interrupted by arctic blasts (mountains stay frozen)
Texas
light sweater tease (except in the Panhandle, where you'll happily don long johns and fleece-lined outerlayers)
My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in Texas
Outdoor music venues and food & wine festivals are still going strong in October!
Francesca Hernandez-SingerLocal Texas ExpertNext Steps
Learn More About Moving to Texas
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 Texas. No boring census stats... we promise! Just practical real advice from Texas local experts.
Moving toAustin
Prep for Tacos, Traffic & Endless Live Music
