Massachusetts Local Expert
Candice Hallsett
“I have called Massachusetts home for 15 years, which started with a Texas to New England road trip in a…”
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JourneysMoving Journeys|From MAMoving from Massachusetts|To COMoving to Colorado|Massachusetts → Colorado
Moving to Colorado from MA: What Locals Want You to Know
Trading colonial charm for mountain views is a lifestyle decision that goes far deeper than a change of scenery. Massachusetts offers a dense, walkable culture built around historic neighborhoods, world-class universities, and brutal winters that locals somehow wear as a badge of pride. Colorado, on the other hand, greets newcomers with stunning peaks and outdoor adventure, but also a sprawling Western pace that can feel like a completely different country to anyone raised on New England traditions. Our Snappy Scout team (Candice & Heidi) dug into the costs, logistics, and lifestyle shifts you need to understand before loading up that moving truck.
Our Local Experts Guiding Your Move
DIY Move: How Far Is the Move from MA to CO?
Average distance
1,950miles
Typical route
I-90 W, I-80 W, I-76 W
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Boston, MA → Denver, CO
~1950 miles
Springfield, MA → Denver, CO
~1900 miles
Worcester, MA → Colorado Springs, CO
~2000 miles
Boston, MA → Boulder, CO
~1950 miles
Lowell, MA → Fort Collins, CO
~2000 miles
Should You Move From Massachusetts to Colorado Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to Colorado from Massachusetts 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 Will Moving to CO from MA Run You?
Moving 1,950 miles from Massachusetts 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.
The Real Talk: Is CO Right for You?
Well, it depends. If you're a Homesteader, Retired Military, or Craft Beer Fan, you'll thrive in your move to Colorado. But if you're more of a Beach Bum, College Student, or Foodie, 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 Massachusetts to Colorado.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from MA to CO
Homesteading
Massachusetts
4
/10
Colorado
7
/10
Massachusetts
Giving up
Land available but pricey, regulations tighter than Vermont.
Colorado
Gaining
Land available but high prices and altitude challenge newcomers.
Recommended CO cities/areas for Homesteaders
San Luis Valleyrural Western Slopes
Massachusetts
4
/10
Colorado
7
/10
Military Culture
Massachusetts
4
/10
Colorado
6
/10
Massachusetts
Giving up
VA services solid, but fewer bases than elsewhere.
Colorado
Gaining
Peterson Space Force Base and Fort Carson provide strong support.
Recommended CO cities/areas for Retired Militaries
Colorado SpringsAurora
Massachusetts
4
/10
Colorado
6
/10
Craft Beer Culture
Massachusetts
8.5
/10
Colorado
9.5
/10
Massachusetts
Giving up
Sam Adams birthplace plus endless taprooms.
Colorado
Gaining
Great American Beer Festival and New Belgium Brewing reign.
Recommended CO cities/areas for Craft Beer Fans
DenverFort CollinsBoulder
Massachusetts
8.5
/10
Colorado
9.5
/10
Beach Culture
Massachusetts
4.5
/10
Colorado
2.5
/10
Massachusetts
Giving up
Beaches beautiful but cold water, short swim season.
Colorado
Gaining
Lakes offer swimming but landlocked mountains aren't coastal paradise.
Recommended CO cities/areas for Beach Bums
Boulder Reservoir
Massachusetts
4.5
/10
Colorado
2.5
/10
University Life
Massachusetts
10
/10
Colorado
8
/10
Massachusetts
Giving up
Harvard, MIT, and UMass dominate campus culture.
Colorado
Gaining
CU Buffs pride and CSU Rams spirit fuel campus life.
Recommended CO cities/areas for College Students
BoulderFort CollinsDenver
Massachusetts
10
/10
Colorado
8
/10
Foodies
Massachusetts
9.5
/10
Colorado
8
/10
Massachusetts
Giving up
North End Italian, Union Oyster House, fresh seafood.
Colorado
Gaining
Mercantile Dining and farm-to-table spots deliver mountain cuisine.
Recommended CO cities/areas for Foodies
DenverBoulderAspen
Massachusetts
9.5
/10
Colorado
8
/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 Massachusetts and living in Colorado
MassachusettsColorado
How the Food Scene Compares Between MA and CO
Eating Like a Local in Massachusetts
We have some really fabulous local ethnic restaurants. Any type of food you desire, you're sure to find it. From Cambodian, Ghanaian, to Brazilian, you'll find some excellent dishes to try. Grab a pupusa from a Salvadorean spot. It's cheap and delish!
Candice HallsettMassachusetts 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 Straight Tax Breakdown of Moving to CO from MA
Massachusetts
Colorado
MassachusettsvsColorado
State Income Tax
State Income TaxFlat 5% on most income, 9% on short-term capital gains
Flat 4.4% on all income
Massachusetts
Flat 5% on most income, 9% on short-term capital gains
VS
Colorado
Flat 4.4% on all income
Property Taxes
Property TaxesAmong highest nationally, Boston suburbs especially steep
Broomfield and Boulder areas higher, rural counties lower
Massachusetts
Among highest nationally, Boston suburbs especially steep
VS
Colorado
Broomfield and Boulder areas higher, rural counties lower
What Changes About Culture, Politics, & Faith When You Move to CO from MA
Massachusetts
Colorado
MassachusettsvsColorado
People
PeopleDirect and blunt but loyal, wicked smart, passionate about sports
Casual and low-key, friendly but hands-off, and deeply appreciative of sunshine and flexible plans
Massachusetts
Direct and blunt but loyal, wicked smart, passionate about sports
VS
Colorado
Casual and low-key, friendly but hands-off, and deeply appreciative of sunshine and flexible plans
Politics
Solidly blue statewide, though fiscally moderate with Republican governors occasionally
Purple turned blue, Front Range liberal, Western Slope conservative
Massachusetts
Solidly blue statewide, though fiscally moderate with Republican governors occasionally
VS
Colorado
Purple turned blue, Front Range liberal, Western Slope conservative
Religion
ReligionHistorically Catholic stronghold, growing secular population, diverse faith communities
Mostly Christian with large unaffiliated population, growing secular
Massachusetts
Historically Catholic stronghold, growing secular population, diverse faith communities
VS
Colorado
Mostly Christian with large unaffiliated population, growing secular
What Changes About the Seasons When You Move to CO from MA
SUMMER
Massachusetts
sticky brick oven vibes (humid 90s along the coast)
Colorado
crispy mornings, scorching afternoons (90s on the Front Range)
WINTER
Massachusetts
layered like a human onion (single digits with windchill in January)
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 Massachusetts, 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.
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Pack Your Subaru and Learn to Love Havana Street
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Prepare for Sculpture Parks and Wind
