Connecticut Local Expert
Lynn Nelthropp
“I have lived in Connecticut almost my entire life, and know the difference between shoreline charm and quiet river towns.…”
Read more about me
JourneysMoving Journeys|From CTMoving from Connecticut|To COMoving to Colorado|Connecticut → Colorado
Relocating from Connecticut to Colorado: Which State Wins?
Trading New England charm for the Rocky Mountain West is one of the more dramatic lifestyle pivots a person can make, and the contrasts between Connecticut and Colorado go far deeper than the scenery. Connecticut offers dense, walkable towns with centuries of history, a short train ride to New York City, and the kind of cozy four seasons that feel familiar and contained. Colorado trades that coastal proximity for towering peaks, endless outdoor access, and a sprawling, sunnier pace of life that takes some genuine adjusting. Our Snappy Scout team (Lynn & Heidi) dug into the costs, logistics, and lifestyle changes you should expect before packing the first box.
Our Local Experts Guiding Your Move
The Move from Connecticut to CO: Miles & Drive Time
Average distance
1,950miles
Typical route
I-84 W, I-80 W, I-76 W
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Hartford, CT → Denver, CO
~1950 miles
New Haven, CT → Colorado Springs, CO
~2000 miles
Bridgeport, CT → Aurora, CO
~2000 miles
Stamford, CT → Boulder, CO
~2050 miles
Waterbury, CT → Fort Collins, CO
~1950 miles
Should You Move From Connecticut to Colorado Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to Colorado from Connecticut 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 Does It Honestly Cost to Relocate from Connecticut to CO?
Moving 1,950 miles from Connecticut to Colorado 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
$1,270.00
1 Bedroom
$1,870.00
2 Bedrooms
$3,080.00
3 Bedrooms
$4,460.00
4 Bedrooms
$6,410.00
5+ Bedrooms
$7,120.00
| Home Size | Moving Cost | Volume (ft³) | $/ft³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,270.00 | 300 | $4.23 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,870.00 | 450 | $4.16 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $3,080.00 | 750 | $4.11 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $4,460.00 | 1,100 | $4.05 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $6,410.00 | 1,600 | $4.01 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $7,120.00 | 1,800 | $3.96 |
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.
Who Fits and Who Doesn't Moving from Connecticut to CO
Well, it depends. If you're a Homesteader, Yoga Instructor, or Craft Beer Fan, you'll thrive in your move to Colorado. But if you're more of a Wall Street Exec, PTA President, or Beach Bum, 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 Connecticut to Colorado.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from CT to CO
Homesteading
Connecticut
4
/10
Colorado
7
/10
Connecticut
Giving up
Quiet Corner acres exist, taxes pinch, farmers markets ease costs.
Colorado
Gaining
Land available but high prices and altitude challenge newcomers.
Recommended CO cities/areas for Homesteaders
San Luis Valleyrural Western Slopes
Connecticut
4
/10
Colorado
7
/10
Yoga
Connecticut
7.5
/10
Colorado
9.5
/10
Connecticut
Giving up
Sea breezes at Enders Island, The Yoga Shop.
Colorado
Gaining
Mountain zen and Red Rocks Yoga sessions thrive.
Recommended CO cities/areas for Yoga Instructors
BoulderAspenTelluride
Connecticut
7.5
/10
Colorado
9.5
/10
Craft Beer Culture
Connecticut
8.5
/10
Colorado
9.5
/10
Connecticut
Giving up
Two Roads, Fox Farm, Counter Weight tastings.
Colorado
Gaining
Great American Beer Festival and New Belgium Brewing reign.
Recommended CO cities/areas for Craft Beer Fans
DenverFort CollinsBoulder
Connecticut
8.5
/10
Colorado
9.5
/10
Wall Street Life
Connecticut
9
/10
Colorado
5
/10
Connecticut
Giving up
Hedge fund row, Metro North dash to Midtown.
Colorado
Gaining
Finance jobs exist downtown but lack New York's intensity.
Recommended CO cities/areas for Wall Street Execs
Denver
Connecticut
9
/10
Colorado
5
/10
PTA Life
Connecticut
9
/10
Colorado
6
/10
Connecticut
Giving up
Staples Wreckers, Darien Blue Wave, school pride everywhere.
Colorado
Gaining
Good schools exist but housing costs strain family finances.
Recommended CO cities/areas for PTA Presidents
Castle RockBoulderLittleton
Connecticut
9
/10
Colorado
6
/10
Beach Culture
Connecticut
4
/10
Colorado
2.5
/10
Connecticut
Giving up
Hammonasset sands charm, but Long Island Sound waves stay tame.
Colorado
Gaining
Lakes offer swimming but landlocked mountains aren't coastal paradise.
Recommended CO cities/areas for Beach Bums
Boulder Reservoir
Connecticut
4
/10
Colorado
2.5
/10
Local Perspective
What moment, smell, or ritual captures the soul of Colorado?
It’s the first breath when I get back from traveling. Colorado air is thin and dry, but it somehow feels lighter and cleaner. Everywhere else feels heavier, and coming home makes it feel easier to breathe again.
– Heidi Lim
Colorado Local
Lifestyle differences between living in Connecticut and living in Colorado
ConnecticutColorado
Connecticut Food vs CO Food: The Honest Comparison
Eating 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 ExpertEating 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 ExpertThe No-Nonsense Tax Consequence of Moving to CO from Connecticut
Connecticut
Colorado
ConnecticutvsColorado
State Income Tax
State Income TaxProgressive 2% to 6.99%; lower brackets reduced in 2024; credits phase out.
Flat 4.4% on all income
Connecticut
Progressive 2% to 6.99%; lower brackets reduced in 2024; credits phase out.
VS
Colorado
Flat 4.4% on all income
Property Taxes
Property TaxesHigh mill rates in Hartford, New Haven, & Bridgeport; suburbs like Greenwich, Westport lower.
Broomfield and Boulder areas higher, rural counties lower
Connecticut
High mill rates in Hartford, New Haven, & Bridgeport; suburbs like Greenwich, Westport lower.
VS
Colorado
Broomfield and Boulder areas higher, rural counties lower
The Values, Beliefs, & Politics Reality of Connecticut vs CO
Connecticut
Colorado
ConnecticutvsColorado
People
PeoplePolitely reserved, town-focused, preppy coastal pockets w/ maritime history, surprisingly neighborly, dry humor.
Casual and low-key, friendly but hands-off, and deeply appreciative of sunshine and flexible plans
Connecticut
Politely reserved, town-focused, preppy coastal pockets w/ maritime history, surprisingly neighborly, dry humor.
VS
Colorado
Casual and low-key, friendly but hands-off, and deeply appreciative of sunshine and flexible plans
Politics
Solidly blue statewide; cities deep Democratic; Fairfield County suburbs moderate; eastern towns mixed.
Purple turned blue, Front Range liberal, Western Slope conservative
Connecticut
Solidly blue statewide; cities deep Democratic; Fairfield County suburbs moderate; eastern towns mixed.
VS
Colorado
Purple turned blue, Front Range liberal, Western Slope conservative
Religion
ReligionCatholic largest; many mainline Protestant; sizable Jewish community in West Hartford, Stamford; rising unaffiliated.
Mostly Christian with large unaffiliated population, growing secular
Connecticut
Catholic largest; many mainline Protestant; sizable Jewish community in West Hartford, Stamford; rising unaffiliated.
VS
Colorado
Mostly Christian with large unaffiliated population, growing secular
What Connecticut and CO Locals Think About the Weather
SUMMER
Connecticut
Lobsta' roll sauna mode (Inland bakes while the coast gets some natural AC).
Colorado
crispy mornings, scorching afternoons (90s on the Front Range)
WINTER
Connecticut
Making me wonder why I live somewhere that makes my face hurt.
Colorado
bluebird perfection interrupted by arctic blasts (mountains stay frozen)
My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in Colorado
The transition from summer to fall is one of my favorite times of year. The leaves turn, the air cools just enough, and driving through the mountains for leaf peeping feels like a warm, cozy hug before winter settles in.
Heidi LimColorado Local ExpertNext Steps
Learn More About Moving to Colorado
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 Connecticut, take a deeper dive into the specifics of moving to Colorado. No boring census stats... we promise! Just practical real advice from Colorado local experts.
Moving toAurora
Pack Your Subaru and Learn to Love Havana Street
Moving toLoveland
Prepare for Sculpture Parks and Wind
