Pennsylvania Local Expert
Alyssa Kruse
“I’m a PA lifer who has moved so often I’ve learned to never give away boxes after a move. After…”
Read more about me
JourneysMoving Journeys|From PAMoving from Pennsylvania|To COMoving to Colorado|Pennsylvania → Colorado
From Pennsylvania to Colorado: Pros, Cons & Everything Between
Trading the rolling Appalachian hills and four distinct seasons of Pennsylvania for the towering Rockies and mile-high altitude of Colorado is one of the more dramatic lifestyle pivots you can make in the continental United States. The cost of living, outdoor culture, and even the way the air feels will catch you off guard if you go in without doing your homework. Pennsylvania residents are used to dense East Coast energy, historic city cores, and humid summers, while Colorado flips the script with dry mountain air, an obsession with outdoor recreation, and a western pace that takes some getting used to. Our Snappy Scout team (Alyssa & Heidi) dug into the costs, logistics, and lifestyle changes you should expect before packing the first box.
Our Local Experts Guiding Your Move
Driving a Moving Truck from Pennsylvania to Colorado
Average distance
1,750miles
Typical route
I-76 W, I-70 W
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Philadelphia, PA → Denver, CO
~1750 miles
Pittsburgh, PA → Denver, CO
~1550 miles
Allentown, PA → Colorado Springs, CO
~1800 miles
Harrisburg, PA → Denver, CO
~1700 miles
Pittsburgh, PA → Colorado Springs, CO
~1600 miles
Should You Move From Pennsylvania to Colorado Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to Colorado from Pennsylvania 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 to Prepare for Pennsylvania to Colorado Moving Quotes
Moving 1,750 miles from Pennsylvania 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 No-Nonsense Talk: Is Colorado Right for You?
Well, it depends. If you're a Minimalist, Surfer Dude, or Adventure Junkie, you'll thrive in your move to Colorado. But if you're more of a Foodie, PTA President, or College Student, 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 Pennsylvania to Colorado.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from PA to CO
Minimalism
Pennsylvania
6
/10
Colorado
8.5
/10
Pennsylvania
Giving up
Loft living, SEPTA and Port Authority simplify life
Colorado
Gaining
Tiny homes meet mountain living simplicity and purpose.
Recommended CO cities/areas for Minimalists
BoulderSteamboat Springs
Pennsylvania
6
/10
Colorado
8.5
/10
Surfing
Pennsylvania
2.5
/10
Colorado
4
/10
Pennsylvania
Giving up
Lake Erie wind swells appear, but steady surf? Not here
Colorado
Gaining
South Platte River waves exist but it's no ocean swell (very niche).
Recommended CO cities/areas for Surfer Dudes
Denver river surfing
Pennsylvania
2.5
/10
Colorado
4
/10
Adventure Activities
Pennsylvania
9
/10
Colorado
10
/10
Pennsylvania
Giving up
Youghiogheny whitewater, Hawk Mountain climbs, PA Grand Canyon views
Colorado
Gaining
Rocky Mountain peaks, endless trails, world-class skiing await.
Recommended CO cities/areas for Adventure Junkies
BoulderBreckenridgeCrested Butte
Pennsylvania
9
/10
Colorado
10
/10
Foodies
Pennsylvania
9.5
/10
Colorado
8
/10
Pennsylvania
Giving up
Michelin stars, Reading Terminal, The Strip District, farm-to-table, comfort food, small town hidden gems
Colorado
Gaining
Mercantile Dining and farm-to-table spots deliver mountain cuisine.
Recommended CO cities/areas for Foodies
DenverBoulderAspen
Pennsylvania
9.5
/10
Colorado
8
/10
PTA Life
Pennsylvania
7.5
/10
Colorado
6
/10
Pennsylvania
Giving up
Top schools, Friday Night lights, Main Line bake sale bragging
Colorado
Gaining
Good schools exist but housing costs strain family finances.
Recommended CO cities/areas for PTA Presidents
Castle RockBoulderLittleton
Pennsylvania
7.5
/10
Colorado
6
/10
University Life
Pennsylvania
9
/10
Colorado
8
/10
Pennsylvania
Giving up
Penn State tailgates, UPenn Ivy League, Carnegie Mellon Diversity, Villinova Community Focus, Drexel co ops, Oakland breaks, Pitt Pride, Temple Innovation
Colorado
Gaining
CU Buffs pride and CSU Rams spirit fuel campus life.
Recommended CO cities/areas for College Students
BoulderFort CollinsDenver
Pennsylvania
9
/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 Pennsylvania and living in Colorado
PennsylvaniaColorado
How the Way Locals Eat Stacks Up Between Pennsylvania and Colorado
Eating 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 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 Definitive Tax Shift of Moving from Pennsylvania to Colorado
Pennsylvania
Colorado
PennsylvaniavsColorado
State Income Tax
State Income TaxFlat 3.07% statewide, plus local EIT, Philly wage tax notable
Flat 4.4% on all income
Pennsylvania
Flat 3.07% statewide, plus local EIT, Philly wage tax notable
VS
Colorado
Flat 4.4% on all income
Property Taxes
Property TaxesHigh in Philly suburbs (Montco, Bucks), moderate Pittsburgh region, lower rural counties
Broomfield and Boulder areas higher, rural counties lower
Pennsylvania
High in Philly suburbs (Montco, Bucks), moderate Pittsburgh region, lower rural counties
VS
Colorado
Broomfield and Boulder areas higher, rural counties lower
What Looks Different About People, Politics, & Religion When You Move from Pennsylvania to Colorado
Pennsylvania
Colorado
PennsylvaniavsColorado
People
PeopleGritty, neighborly, sports obsessed, Philly Pittsburgh rivalry, small town polite, big city direct
Casual and low-key, friendly but hands-off, and deeply appreciative of sunshine and flexible plans
Pennsylvania
Gritty, neighborly, sports obsessed, Philly Pittsburgh rivalry, small town polite, big city direct
VS
Colorado
Casual and low-key, friendly but hands-off, and deeply appreciative of sunshine and flexible plans
Politics
Classic swing state: Philly and Pittsburgh blue, central and northern counties red, suburbs purple
Purple turned blue, Front Range liberal, Western Slope conservative
Pennsylvania
Classic swing state: Philly and Pittsburgh blue, central and northern counties red, suburbs purple
VS
Colorado
Purple turned blue, Front Range liberal, Western Slope conservative
Religion
ReligionMostly Christian, large Catholic share, notable Jewish communities, growing Muslim and Hindu, rising unaffiliated
Mostly Christian with large unaffiliated population, growing secular
Pennsylvania
Mostly Christian, large Catholic share, notable Jewish communities, growing Muslim and Hindu, rising unaffiliated
VS
Colorado
Mostly Christian with large unaffiliated population, growing secular
The Seasonal Difference Between Pennsylvania and Colorado
SUMMER
Pennsylvania
Philly subway sauna vibes (sticky 90s with humidity that makes it feel like 100°). The mountain evenings are merciful in the Poconos.
Colorado
crispy mornings, scorching afternoons (90s on the Front Range)
WINTER
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.
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 Pennsylvania, 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
Moving toLoveland
Prepare for Sculpture Parks and Wind
