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Moving from Colorado to Washington

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Outdoor paradise, booming Denver metro, legal weed. vs. Tech (Amazon, MS), no income tax, rainy West side.

CO state flag
Living now

Colorado

Capital: Denver

Median household income $87,598 · winter low 18°F · 245 sunny days

Outdoor paradise, booming Denver metro, legal weed.

WA state flag
Moving to

Washington

Capital: Olympia

Median household income $90,325 · winter low 35°F · 152 sunny days

Tech (Amazon, MS), no income tax, rainy West side.

Washington has an overall price level 107.0 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
Colorado
103.1
Washington
107.0
Washington has 3.8% higher overall price level
Housing index
Colorado
127.4
Washington
126.0
Washington has 1.1% lower housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
Colorado
100.8
Washington
101.8
Washington has 1.0% higher groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
Colorado
100.5
Washington
101.1
Washington has 0.6% higher utilities
Electricity rate
Colorado
16.7 ¢/kWh
Washington
14.4 ¢/kWh
Washington has 14% lower electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
Colorado
100.6
Washington
101.4
Washington has 0.8% higher transportation
Median home value
Colorado
$574,600
Washington
$602,200
Washington is 4.8% more expensive to buy a home
Median monthly rent
Colorado
$1,627/mo
Washington
$1,641/mo
Washington is 0.9% more expensive to rent

Sources: NOAA Climate Normals · EPA AirNow (live) state-level

Summer high 79°F · Winter low 35°F · 152 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
Colorado
86°F
Washington
79°F
Washington is 8.1% less summer highs
Avg winter low
Colorado
18°F
Washington
35°F
Washington is 94% more winter lows
Avg annual temperature
Colorado
46°F
Washington
50°F
Washington is 8.3% more annual temperature
Sunny days / year
Colorado
245
Washington
152
Washington has 38% lower sunny days
Annual precipitation
Colorado
17 in
Washington
40 in
Washington is 140% more annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
Colorado
74
Washington
39
Washington has 47% lower AQI
Snow / year
Colorado
69 in
Washington
29 in
Washington is 58% less annual snowfall

Get the full ColoradoWashington report

Schools, healthcare, taxes, transportation, lifestyle, crime, family fit, move logistics, AI assistant, and 90-day timeline.

See the full comparison

Frequently asked

Is it cheaper to live in Washington than Colorado?

Washington's overall price level is roughly 105.8 (US avg = 100), vs about 103 for Colorado — based on BEA Regional Price Parities. Housing is the dominant driver of the difference. Run a comparison for the full, current breakdown.

What's the income tax difference?

Colorado tops out at 4.4% income tax. Washington tops out at 0%.

How long do I have to register my vehicle in Washington?

Most Washington residents must register a vehicle within 30-60 days of moving. Check the piomover report for state-specific deadlines.

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