Texas Local Expert
Francesca Hernandez-Singer
“I'm a Texas native who somehow lived in 5 countries, 4 states, and 12 cities before admitting that no place…”
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Moving to Colorado from TX: What It Really Costs
Texas and Colorado sit side by side on the map, but the gap between their lifestyles is wider than most people expect. You might be trading your beloved Tex-Mex and flat highways for mountain passes and a whole new set of outdoor hobbies, and that is just the beginning of the adjustment. The cost of living, climate, and overall pace of daily life shift in ways that catch even the most prepared movers off guard. Our Snappy Scout team (Francesca & Heidi) dug into the real numbers, logistics, and lifestyle changes you need to know before you start loading the truck.
Our Local Experts Guiding Your Move
Most Direct Route for a Moving Truck from Texas to CO
Average distance
950miles
Typical route
I-25 N and I-27 N are the major highways you'd drive to get from Texas to Colorado
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Dallas, TX → Denver, CO
~1000 miles
Houston, TX → Denver, CO
~1150 miles
San Antonio, TX → Colorado Springs, CO
~950 miles
Amarillo, TX → Denver, CO
~450 miles
El Paso, TX → Pueblo, CO
~550 miles
How Much Do Local Movers Charge from Texas to CO?
Moving 950 miles from Texas 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
3–10days
Cost by home size
Studio
$1,330.00
1 Bedroom
$1,980.00
2 Bedrooms
$3,250.00
3 Bedrooms
$4,720.00
4 Bedrooms
$6,780.00
5+ Bedrooms
$7,530.00
| Home Size | Moving Cost | Volume (ft³) | $/ft³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,330.00 | 300 | $4.43 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,980.00 | 450 | $4.4 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $3,250.00 | 750 | $4.33 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $4,720.00 | 1,100 | $4.29 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $6,780.00 | 1,600 | $4.24 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $7,530.00 | 1,800 | $4.18 |
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.
How Will Your Current Texas Personality Play Out in CO?
Well, it depends. If you're a Retired Military, CrossFit Regular, or Stay at Home Mom, you'll thrive in your move to Colorado. But if you're more of a Retired Snowbird, Foodie, 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 Texas to Colorado.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from TX to CO
Military Culture
Texas
2
/10
Colorado
6
/10
Texas
Giving up
Bases anchor life though cities sprawl without coastal charm
Colorado
Gaining
Peterson Space Force Base and Fort Carson provide strong support.
Recommended CO cities/areas for Retired Militaries
Colorado SpringsAurora
Texas
2
/10
Colorado
6
/10
Fitness
Texas
5.5
/10
Colorado
9
/10
Texas
Giving up
Big box gyms dominate the big cities, but CrossFit groups are around, punching way above their weight
Colorado
Gaining
High altitude training and Olympic Training Center fuel gains.
Recommended CO cities/areas for CrossFit Regulars
DenverColorado Springs
Texas
5.5
/10
Colorado
9
/10
Stay At Home Moms
Texas
3
/10
Colorado
6.5
/10
Texas
Giving up
Family-friendly suburbs abound but summer heat tests patience
Colorado
Gaining
Family suburbs thrive but expensive housing squeezes budgets tight.
Recommended CO cities/areas for Stay at Home Moms
Castle RockHighlands RanchFort Collins
Texas
3
/10
Colorado
6.5
/10
Snowbirds
Texas
6.5
/10
Colorado
3
/10
Texas
Giving up
Sun-soaked South Padre rolling sand dune winters and world-class birdwatching at Santa Ana refuge
Colorado
Gaining
Winters too harsh and snowy for those seeking sunshine.
Recommended CO cities/areas for Retired Snowbirds
Grand Junction
Texas
6.5
/10
Colorado
3
/10
Foodies
Texas
9
/10
Colorado
8
/10
Texas
Giving up
Houston’s Viet Cajun crawfish, La Fonda on Main in San Antonio, and Franklin Barbecue’s legendary brisket
Colorado
Gaining
Mercantile Dining and farm-to-table spots deliver mountain cuisine.
Recommended CO cities/areas for Foodies
DenverBoulderAspen
Texas
9
/10
Colorado
8
/10
Beach Culture
Texas
3
/10
Colorado
2.5
/10
Texas
Giving up
Galveston beaches are charming but the Texas beach sand lacks Florida’s white sparkle
Colorado
Gaining
Lakes offer swimming but landlocked mountains aren't coastal paradise.
Recommended CO cities/areas for Beach Bums
Boulder Reservoir
Texas
3
/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 Texas and living in Colorado
TexasColorado
Texas vs CO: How Locals Actually Eat
Eating Like a Local in Texas
Breakfast tacos are on flour tortillas, BBQ means beef, and the margaritas come with salt on the rim unless you order without.
Francesca Hernandez-SingerLocal Texas 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 from Texas to CO Does for Your Bottom Line
Texas
Colorado
TexasvsColorado
State Income Tax
State Income TaxNone, zero percent statewide!!
Flat 4.4% on all income
Texas
None, zero percent statewide!!
VS
Colorado
Flat 4.4% on all income
Property Taxes
Property TaxesHouston and Dallas areas higher, smaller cities slightly lower
Broomfield and Boulder areas higher, rural counties lower
Texas
Houston and Dallas areas higher, smaller cities slightly lower
VS
Colorado
Broomfield and Boulder areas higher, rural counties lower
How People, Politics, & Religion Break Down Between Texas and CO
Texas
Colorado
TexasvsColorado
People
PeopleFamously friendly, fiercely proud, big on hospitality
Casual and low-key, friendly but hands-off, and deeply appreciative of sunshine and flexible plans
Texas
Famously friendly, fiercely proud, big on hospitality
VS
Colorado
Casual and low-key, friendly but hands-off, and deeply appreciative of sunshine and flexible plans
Politics
Deep red roots, but cities (especially Austin) swing progressive
Purple turned blue, Front Range liberal, Western Slope conservative
Texas
Deep red roots, but cities (especially Austin) swing progressive
VS
Colorado
Purple turned blue, Front Range liberal, Western Slope conservative
Religion
ReligionMostly Christian, strong Baptist presence, growing diversity
Mostly Christian with large unaffiliated population, growing secular
Texas
Mostly Christian, strong Baptist presence, growing diversity
VS
Colorado
Mostly Christian with large unaffiliated population, growing secular
Texas and CO Locals on the Seasons: What They Love
SUMMER
Texas
blast furnace (triple digits in West Texas)
Colorado
crispy mornings, scorching afternoons (90s on the Front Range)
WINTER
Texas
light sweater tease (except in the Panhandle, where you'll happily don long johns and fleece-lined outerlayers)
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 Texas, 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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