Tennessee Local Expert
Mike Stover
“I am a Tennessee native who has lived, worked, or worn out tires in all three divisions of the state,…”
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Moving to Colorado from TN: The Ultimate Moving Guide
Tennessee's rolling hills, mild seasons, and deep-rooted Southern charm have a way of feeling like home fast, but trading all of that for Colorado's rugged mountain landscapes and high altitude adventure is a transition worth taking seriously. The two states sit worlds apart in climate, cost of living, and daily pace, and what feels like a clean break on paper can come with a few surprises once the moving truck is unpacked. Colorado pulls in newcomers with its outdoor lifestyle and booming job market, yet the elevation alone can reshape your routine in ways you never anticipated. Our Snappy Scout team (Mike & Heidi) dug into the real costs, logistics, and lifestyle shifts you need to understand before you start loading boxes.
Our Local Experts Guiding Your Move
How Far Is the Move from Tennessee to Colorado?
Average distance
1,400miles
Typical route
I-40 W and I-70 W are the major highways you'd drive to get from Tennessee to Colorado
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Nashville, TN → Denver, CO
~1400 miles
Memphis, TN → Denver, CO
~1250 miles
Knoxville, TN → Denver, CO
~1550 miles
Chattanooga, TN → Colorado Springs, CO
~1450 miles
Nashville, TN → Colorado Springs, CO
~1350 miles
Should You Move From Tennessee to Colorado Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to Colorado from Tennessee 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.
Tennessee to Colorado Moving Company Prices
Moving 1,400 miles from Tennessee 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.
Is Relocating from Tennessee to Colorado the Right Decision for You?
Well, it depends. If you're a Yoga Instructor, CrossFit Regular, or Adventure Junkie, you'll thrive in your move to Colorado. But if you're more of a Cowboy, 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 Tennessee to Colorado.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from TN to CO
Yoga
Tennessee
6.5
/10
Colorado
9.5
/10
Tennessee
Giving up
12South yoga studios, Chattanooga riverfront sun salutations, Real Hot Yoga & Yoga in the Park
Colorado
Gaining
Mountain zen and Red Rocks Yoga sessions thrive.
Recommended CO cities/areas for Yoga Instructors
BoulderAspenTelluride
Tennessee
6.5
/10
Colorado
9.5
/10
Fitness
Tennessee
8
/10
Colorado
9
/10
Tennessee
Giving up
Nashville WOD scene, Knoxville throwdowns at World's Fair Park, RidgeRunner Crossfit
Colorado
Gaining
High altitude training and Olympic Training Center fuel gains.
Recommended CO cities/areas for CrossFit Regulars
DenverColorado Springs
Tennessee
8
/10
Colorado
9
/10
Adventure Activities
Tennessee
9.5
/10
Colorado
10
/10
Tennessee
Giving up
The Appalachian Trail, Great Smoky Mountains, Ocoee Rapids, Obed climbs
Colorado
Gaining
Rocky Mountain peaks, endless trails, world-class skiing await.
Recommended CO cities/areas for Adventure Junkies
BoulderBreckenridgeCrested Butte
Tennessee
9.5
/10
Colorado
10
/10
Cowboys
Tennessee
6.5
/10
Colorado
3.5
/10
Tennessee
Giving up
Franklin horse farms, PBR's Nashville Stampede at Bridgestone Arena
Colorado
Gaining
National Western Stock Show happens but ski culture dominates.
Recommended CO cities/areas for Cowboys
Steamboat SpringsGreeley
Tennessee
6.5
/10
Colorado
3.5
/10
PTA Life
Tennessee
8
/10
Colorado
6
/10
Tennessee
Giving up
Williamson County schools, Brentwood fields, Collierville Friday nights
Colorado
Gaining
Good schools exist but housing costs strain family finances.
Recommended CO cities/areas for PTA Presidents
Castle RockBoulderLittleton
Tennessee
8
/10
Colorado
6
/10
Beach Culture
Tennessee
4
/10
Colorado
2.5
/10
Tennessee
Giving up
Norris Lake shores and Percy Priest are not Gulf waves
Colorado
Gaining
Lakes offer swimming but landlocked mountains aren't coastal paradise.
Recommended CO cities/areas for Beach Bums
Boulder Reservoir
Tennessee
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 Tennessee and living in Colorado
TennesseeColorado
How Local Cuisine Shifts When You Move from Tennessee to Colorado
Eating Like a Local in Tennessee
Locals from Memphis to Roan Mountain know that REAL barbeque comes wet, sweet, and sticky. Vinegar is a cleaning agent, not an ingredient in BBQ.
Mike StoverTennessee 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 ExpertFrom Tennessee to Colorado: How Your Tax Landscape Changes
Tennessee
Colorado
TennesseevsColorado
State Income Tax
State Income TaxNo tax on wages, Hall tax on dividends repealed 2021
Flat 4.4% on all income
Tennessee
No tax on wages, Hall tax on dividends repealed 2021
VS
Colorado
Flat 4.4% on all income
Property Taxes
Property TaxesLower statewide, higher in Shelby and Davidson, Knox and Hamilton moderate, rural low
Broomfield and Boulder areas higher, rural counties lower
Tennessee
Lower statewide, higher in Shelby and Davidson, Knox and Hamilton moderate, rural low
VS
Colorado
Broomfield and Boulder areas higher, rural counties lower
What Changes About Culture, Politics, & Faith When You Move from Tennessee to Colorado
Tennessee
Colorado
TennesseevsColorado
People
PeoplePolite, Volunteer State helpful, porch chat friendly, bless your heart energy
Casual and low-key, friendly but hands-off, and deeply appreciative of sunshine and flexible plans
Tennessee
Polite, Volunteer State helpful, porch chat friendly, bless your heart energy
VS
Colorado
Casual and low-key, friendly but hands-off, and deeply appreciative of sunshine and flexible plans
Politics
Solid Republican statewide, Nashville and Memphis blue, Chattanooga and Knoxville cores competitive
Purple turned blue, Front Range liberal, Western Slope conservative
Tennessee
Solid Republican statewide, Nashville and Memphis blue, Chattanooga and Knoxville cores competitive
VS
Colorado
Purple turned blue, Front Range liberal, Western Slope conservative
Religion
ReligionPredominantly Christian, strong evangelical Baptist, growing unaffiliated, Muslim and Hindu communities in Nashville
Mostly Christian with large unaffiliated population, growing secular
Tennessee
Predominantly Christian, strong evangelical Baptist, growing unaffiliated, Muslim and Hindu communities in Nashville
VS
Colorado
Mostly Christian with large unaffiliated population, growing secular
Leaving Tennessee Seasons Behind: What Colorado Climate Really Looks Like
SUMMER
Tennessee
sweet tea sauna vibes (Memphis bakes, Nashville steams, Smokies cool off at dusk). The lowlands are just plain hot; the mountains are where you want to be.
Colorado
crispy mornings, scorching afternoons (90s on the Front Range)
WINTER
Tennessee
light jacket roulette (Nashville slush, Memphis rain, Gatlinburg steals the snow). Natives say if you don't like Tennessee weather, wait a while; it'll change.
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 Tennessee, 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
