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Moving from Minnesota to Colorado

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Twin Cities arts, brutal winters, top public schools. vs. Outdoor paradise, booming Denver metro, legal weed.

MN state flag
Living now

Minnesota

Capital: Saint Paul

Median household income $84,313 · winter low 4°F · 195 sunny days

Twin Cities arts, brutal winters, top public schools.

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
Minnesota
98.6
Colorado
103.1
Colorado has 4.5% higher overall price level
Housing index
Minnesota
91.3
Colorado
127.4
Colorado has 40% higher housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
Minnesota
99.7
Colorado
100.8
Colorado has 1.1% higher groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
Minnesota
99.8
Colorado
100.5
Colorado has 0.7% higher utilities
Electricity rate
Minnesota
15.1 ¢/kWh
Colorado
16.7 ¢/kWh
Colorado has 11% higher electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
Minnesota
99.7
Colorado
100.6
Colorado has 0.9% higher transportation
Median home value
Minnesota
$344,600
Colorado
$574,600
Colorado is 67% more expensive to buy a home
Median monthly rent
Minnesota
$1,135/mo
Colorado
$1,627/mo
Colorado is 43% more expensive to rent

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

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

Avg summer high
Minnesota
82°F
Colorado
86°F
Colorado is 4.9% more summer highs
Avg winter low
Minnesota
4°F
Colorado
18°F
Colorado is 350% more winter lows
Avg annual temperature
Minnesota
42°F
Colorado
46°F
Colorado is 8.7% more annual temperature
Sunny days / year
Minnesota
195
Colorado
245
Colorado has 26% higher sunny days
Annual precipitation
Minnesota
29 in
Colorado
17 in
Colorado is 44% less annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
Minnesota
39
Colorado
74
Colorado has 90% higher AQI
Snow / year
Minnesota
46 in
Colorado
69 in
Colorado is 50% more annual snowfall

Get the full MinnesotaColorado 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 Colorado than Minnesota?

Colorado's overall price level is roughly 103 (US avg = 100), vs about 97.3 for Minnesota — 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?

Minnesota tops out at 9.85% 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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