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Moving from District of Columbia to Colorado

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Federal-government nexus, museums, expensive urban living. vs. Outdoor paradise, booming Denver metro, legal weed.

DC
Living now

District of Columbia

Capital: Washington

Median household income $101,722 · winter low 28°F · 197 sunny days

Federal-government nexus, museums, expensive urban living.

CO state flag
Moving to

Colorado

Capital: Denver

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

Outdoor paradise, booming Denver metro, legal weed.

Colorado has an overall price level 103.1 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
District of Columbia
109.9
Colorado
103.1
Colorado has 6.2% lower overall price level
Housing index
District of Columbia
155.0
Colorado
127.4
Colorado has 18% lower housing costs
Groceries index
District of Columbia
106.5
Colorado
98.7
Colorado has 7.3% lower groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
District of Columbia
101.5
Colorado
100.5
Colorado has 1.0% lower utilities
Electricity rate
District of Columbia
25.4 ¢/kWh
Colorado
16.5 ¢/kWh
Colorado has 35% lower electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
District of Columbia
102.0
Colorado
100.6
Colorado has 1.3% lower transportation
Median home value
District of Columbia
$733,400
Colorado
$574,600
Colorado is 22% cheaper to buy a home
Median monthly rent
District of Columbia
$1,931/mo
Colorado
$1,822/mo
Colorado is 5.6% cheaper to rent

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

Summer high 86°F · Winter low 18°F · 245 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
District of Columbia
88°F
Colorado
86°F
Colorado is 2.3% less summer highs
Avg winter low
District of Columbia
28°F
Colorado
18°F
Colorado is 36% less winter lows
Avg annual temperature
District of Columbia
57°F
Colorado
46°F
Colorado is 20% less annual temperature
Sunny days / year
District of Columbia
197
Colorado
245
Colorado has 24% higher sunny days
Annual precipitation
District of Columbia
45 in
Colorado
17 in
Colorado is 63% less annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
District of Columbia
53
Colorado
49
Colorado has 7.5% lower AQI
Earthquakes (M3+, past yr)
District of Columbia
0
Colorado
8
Snow / year
District of Columbia
11 in
Colorado
69 in
Colorado is 527% more annual snowfall

Get the full District of ColumbiaColorado report

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

See the full comparison

Frequently asked

Is it cheaper to live in Colorado than District of Columbia?

Colorado's overall price level is roughly 103 (US avg = 100), vs about 117.4 for District of Columbia, 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?

District of Columbia tops out at 10.75% income tax. Colorado tops out at 4.4%.

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

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

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