New Jersey Local Expert
Diane Briante
“I’ve been rooted in New Jersey since day one and have lived everywhere from Hillside to Elizabeth to Springfield before…”
Read more about me
Moving to Colorado from NJ: What Google Won't Tell You
Swapping the dense suburbs and boardwalk summers of New Jersey for the mile-high elevation and mountain views of Colorado is a change that goes far deeper than a new zip code. The two states sit on opposite ends of the American experience, from the crowded commuter culture of the Garden State to the outdoor obsessed, wide open lifestyle that defines so much of daily life in Colorado. Cost of living, climate, and culture all look completely different once you land on the other side of this move. Our Snappy Scout team (Diane & Heidi) broke down everything from moving costs and tax implications to what your weekends will actually look like once you get settled in the Centennial State.
Our Local Experts Guiding Your Move
Fastest Route for a Moving Truck from New Jersey to Colorado
Average distance
1,750miles
Typical route
I-76 W, I-70 W, I-80 W
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Newark, NJ → Denver, CO
~1750 miles
Jersey City, NJ → Colorado Springs, CO
~1800 miles
Trenton, NJ → Aurora, CO
~1750 miles
Camden, NJ → Fort Collins, CO
~1800 miles
Atlantic City, NJ → Boulder, CO
~1850 miles
Should You Move From New Jersey to Colorado Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to Colorado from New Jersey 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 Do Professional Movers Bill to Colorado from New Jersey?
Moving 1,750 miles from New Jersey 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 Should Think Twice About the Move from New Jersey to Colorado?
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 Binge Shopper, Retired Snowbird, or Garden Club Lifetime Member, 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 New Jersey to Colorado.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from NJ to CO
Homesteading
New Jersey
3
/10
Colorado
7
/10
New Jersey
Giving up
Pine Barrens acres exist, but taxes tame off grid dreams
Colorado
Gaining
Land available but high prices and altitude challenge newcomers.
Recommended CO cities/areas for Homesteaders
San Luis Valleyrural Western Slopes
New Jersey
3
/10
Colorado
7
/10
Yoga
New Jersey
7
/10
Colorado
9.5
/10
New Jersey
Giving up
Pier A sunrise flows, Gratitude Yoga calm, beach classes
Colorado
Gaining
Mountain zen and Red Rocks Yoga sessions thrive.
Recommended CO cities/areas for Yoga Instructors
BoulderAspenTelluride
New Jersey
7
/10
Colorado
9.5
/10
Craft Beer Culture
New Jersey
8
/10
Colorado
9.5
/10
New Jersey
Giving up
Kane waves, Carton cans, Mudhen Brew, Cape May Brewing, boardwalk buzz
Colorado
Gaining
Great American Beer Festival and New Belgium Brewing reign.
Recommended CO cities/areas for Craft Beer Fans
DenverFort CollinsBoulder
New Jersey
8
/10
Colorado
9.5
/10
Shopping
New Jersey
8.5
/10
Colorado
4.5
/10
New Jersey
Giving up
Paramus has more malls per mile than anywhere
Colorado
Gaining
Cherry Creek Shopping Center works but lacks major fashion capitals.
Recommended CO cities/areas for Binge Shoppers
Denver's Cherry Creek
New Jersey
8.5
/10
Colorado
4.5
/10
Snowbirds
New Jersey
5
/10
Colorado
3
/10
New Jersey
Giving up
Locals say the "Cape May bubble" keeps that area calm, but winters are colder than Boca Raton
Colorado
Gaining
Winters too harsh and snowy for those seeking sunshine.
Recommended CO cities/areas for Retired Snowbirds
Grand Junction
New Jersey
5
/10
Colorado
3
/10
Gardener
New Jersey
7
/10
Colorado
5.5
/10
New Jersey
Giving up
Presby Iris strolls, Reeves-Reed blooms, Grounds For Sculpture teas, Duke Gardens
Colorado
Gaining
Denver Botanic Gardens inspire but short season and altitude challenge.
Recommended CO cities/areas for Garden Club Lifetime Members
Fort CollinsDurango
New Jersey
7
/10
Colorado
5.5
/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 New Jersey and living in Colorado
New JerseyColorado
From New Jersey to Colorado: How Your Plate Changes
Eating Like a Local in New Jersey
Every diner has something they're famous for. Order that. Don't order something too fancy. Avoid the red sauce unless you have inside information that it doesn't come from a can. Splurge on those amazing looking cakes or pies. And we judge diners by their fries. If their fries aren't good, we might not be back.
Diane BrianteNew Jersey 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 ExpertWhat the Move to Colorado from New Jersey Costs You for Your Taxes
New Jersey
Colorado
New JerseyvsColorado
State Income Tax
State Income TaxProgressive 1.4% to 10.75%, top rate over $1M, multiple brackets
Flat 4.4% on all income
New Jersey
Progressive 1.4% to 10.75%, top rate over $1M, multiple brackets
VS
Colorado
Flat 4.4% on all income
Property Taxes
Property TaxesNorth Jersey suburbs like Bergen and Essex pricier, South Jersey lower, Jersey City abatements
Broomfield and Boulder areas higher, rural counties lower
New Jersey
North Jersey suburbs like Bergen and Essex pricier, South Jersey lower, Jersey City abatements
VS
Colorado
Broomfield and Boulder areas higher, rural counties lower
Moving from New Jersey to Colorado: The Values, Beliefs, & Politics Shift
New Jersey
Colorado
New JerseyvsColorado
People
PeopleDirect, fast talking, proudly diverse, neighborhood loyal, bagel and pizza opinions unshakeable
Casual and low-key, friendly but hands-off, and deeply appreciative of sunshine and flexible plans
New Jersey
Direct, fast talking, proudly diverse, neighborhood loyal, bagel and pizza opinions unshakeable
VS
Colorado
Casual and low-key, friendly but hands-off, and deeply appreciative of sunshine and flexible plans
Politics
Reliably blue statewide, GOP strength in Ocean Monmouth Sussex, suburban moderates swing
Purple turned blue, Front Range liberal, Western Slope conservative
New Jersey
Reliably blue statewide, GOP strength in Ocean Monmouth Sussex, suburban moderates swing
VS
Colorado
Purple turned blue, Front Range liberal, Western Slope conservative
Religion
ReligionLargely Christian, many Catholics, notable Jewish in Lakewood and Teaneck, growing Hindu Muslim unaffiliated
Mostly Christian with large unaffiliated population, growing secular
New Jersey
Largely Christian, many Catholics, notable Jewish in Lakewood and Teaneck, growing Hindu Muslim unaffiliated
VS
Colorado
Mostly Christian with large unaffiliated population, growing secular
What Hits Different About the Weather When You Move from New Jersey to Colorado
SUMMER
New Jersey
boardwalk waffle iron (sticky 90s inland, ocean breeze tempers the Shore)
Colorado
crispy mornings, scorching afternoons (90s on the Front Range)
WINTER
New Jersey
puffer coat roulette (High Point bites, Cape May shrugs)
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 New Jersey, 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
