Utah Local Expert
Ann Broadbent
“I have lived in Utah for nearly four decades, and never cease to be profoundly impacted by its incredible beauty.…”
Read more about me
Moving from Utah to CO: A Side-by-Side Comparison
Trading red rock canyons for the Rocky Mountain high life seems like a natural next step, but relocating from Utah to Colorado brings more practical surprises than most movers anticipate. Utah's wide open spaces and lower cost of living give way to Colorado's outdoor obsessed culture and a housing market that has climbed steadily for years. The pace, the politics, and even the altitude can shift in ways you might not expect. Our Snappy Scout team (Ann & Heidi) broke down the costs, logistics, and lifestyle changes you should prepare for before loading up the moving truck.
Our Local Experts Guiding Your Move
UT to Colorado: Distance, Route, and Drive Time
Average distance
550miles
Typical route
I-70 E and I-15 are the major highways you'd drive to get from Utah to Colorado
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Salt Lake City, UT → Denver, CO
~550 miles
Provo, UT → Denver, CO
~500 miles
St. George, UT → Grand Junction, CO
~350 miles
Ogden, UT → Denver, CO
~600 miles
Moab, UT → Grand Junction, CO
~150 miles
What to Budget for UT to Colorado Moving Costs
Moving 550 miles from Utah to Colorado will typically cost between $2,500.00 and $5,500.00 to hire full service movers. See the breakdown below by home size.
Expected Range
$2,500.00–$5,500.00
Expected Time
2–9days
Cost by home size
Studio
$1,530.00
1 Bedroom
$2,270.00
2 Bedrooms
$3,750.00
3 Bedrooms
$5,440.00
4 Bedrooms
$7,830.00
5+ Bedrooms
$8,720.00
| Home Size | Moving Cost | Volume (ft³) | $/ft³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,530.00 | 300 | $5.1 |
| 1 Bedroom | $2,270.00 | 450 | $5.04 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $3,750.00 | 750 | $5 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $5,440.00 | 1,100 | $4.95 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $7,830.00 | 1,600 | $4.89 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $8,720.00 | 1,800 | $4.84 |
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.
Will Your Vibe Thrive in Colorado?
Well, it depends. If you're a Craft Beer Fan, Yoga Instructor, or Dog Momma, you'll thrive in your move to Colorado. But if you're more of a Retired Snowbird, Stay at Home Mom, or Binge Shopper, 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 Utah to Colorado.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from UT to CO
Craft Beer Culture
Utah
6.5
/10
Colorado
9.5
/10
Utah
Giving up
Fisher, Kiitos taps, state store adventures, early last call, Strap Tank
Colorado
Gaining
Great American Beer Festival and New Belgium Brewing reign.
Recommended CO cities/areas for Craft Beer Fans
DenverFort CollinsBoulder
Utah
6.5
/10
Colorado
9.5
/10
Yoga
Utah
7
/10
Colorado
9.5
/10
Utah
Giving up
Sunrise flows at Snowbird, 9th and 9th studios thrive, Sun Rock Yoga.
Colorado
Gaining
Mountain zen and Red Rocks Yoga sessions thrive.
Recommended CO cities/areas for Yoga Instructors
BoulderAspenTelluride
Utah
7
/10
Colorado
9.5
/10
Pet Friendly
Utah
7
/10
Colorado
9
/10
Utah
Giving up
Tanner Park romps, Millcreek off leash days, Rail Trail, Red Cliffs Desert Reserve
Colorado
Gaining
Cherry Creek Trail and endless dog-friendly patios everywhere.
Recommended CO cities/areas for Dog Mommas
DenverBoulderFort Collins
Utah
7
/10
Colorado
9
/10
Snowbirds
Utah
8
/10
Colorado
3
/10
Utah
Giving up
Warm winters, Snow Canyon hikes, Tuacahn concerts under stars.
Colorado
Gaining
Winters too harsh and snowy for those seeking sunshine.
Recommended CO cities/areas for Retired Snowbirds
Grand Junction
Utah
8
/10
Colorado
3
/10
Stay At Home Moms
Utah
8.5
/10
Colorado
6.5
/10
Utah
Giving up
Thanksgiving Point outings, Daybreak parks, Lagoon summer passes, All Abilities Park
Colorado
Gaining
Family suburbs thrive but expensive housing squeezes budgets tight.
Recommended CO cities/areas for Stay at Home Moms
Castle RockHighlands RanchFort Collins
Utah
8.5
/10
Colorado
6.5
/10
Shopping
Utah
6
/10
Colorado
4.5
/10
Utah
Giving up
City Creek splurges, Fashion Place hauls, Station Park therapy.
Colorado
Gaining
Cherry Creek Shopping Center works but lacks major fashion capitals.
Recommended CO cities/areas for Binge Shoppers
Denver's Cherry Creek
Utah
6
/10
Colorado
4.5
/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 Utah and living in Colorado
UtahColorado
From UT to Colorado: How Your Plate Looks Different
Eating Like a Local in Utah
Steak, french fries with fry sauce.
Sweet Pork Burrito Supreme with rice and beans, sour cream and guacamole
Ann BroadbentUtah 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 from UT to Colorado Changes for Your Tax Future
Utah
Colorado
UtahvsColorado
State Income Tax
State Income TaxFlat 4.55 percent statewide
Flat 4.4% on all income
Utah
Flat 4.55 percent statewide
VS
Colorado
Flat 4.4% on all income
Property Taxes
Property TaxesModerate effective rates, Salt Lake County higher, Park City pricier, rural counties lowest
Broomfield and Boulder areas higher, rural counties lower
Utah
Moderate effective rates, Salt Lake County higher, Park City pricier, rural counties lowest
VS
Colorado
Broomfield and Boulder areas higher, rural counties lower
People, Politics, & Religion: UT vs Colorado
Utah
Colorado
UtahvsColorado
People
PeopleFamously friendly, family centered, outdoorsy, earnest, neighbor helpful
Casual and low-key, friendly but hands-off, and deeply appreciative of sunshine and flexible plans
Utah
Famously friendly, family centered, outdoorsy, earnest, neighbor helpful
VS
Colorado
Casual and low-key, friendly but hands-off, and deeply appreciative of sunshine and flexible plans
Politics
Deep red statewide, Salt Lake City and Moab bluer, college towns lean progressive
Purple turned blue, Front Range liberal, Western Slope conservative
Utah
Deep red statewide, Salt Lake City and Moab bluer, college towns lean progressive
VS
Colorado
Purple turned blue, Front Range liberal, Western Slope conservative
Religion
ReligionPredominantly LDS, then other Christians, rising unaffiliated, small Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist communities
Mostly Christian with large unaffiliated population, growing secular
Utah
Predominantly LDS, then other Christians, rising unaffiliated, small Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist communities
VS
Colorado
Mostly Christian with large unaffiliated population, growing secular
A Local's Perspective on the Climate in UT and Colorado
SUMMER
Utah
Red rock broiler mode (triple digits in St. George, asphalt shimmer in Moab), cool mornings and evenings in northern climbs.
Colorado
crispy mornings, scorching afternoons (90s on the Front Range)
WINTER
Utah
Mountain freezer (wear that puffy coat along with hat & gloves (Wasatch nights bite, St. George keeps golfing).
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 Utah, 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
