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Moving from Washington to Colorado

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

WA state flag
Living now

Washington

Capital: Olympia

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

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

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
Washington
107.0
Colorado
103.1
Colorado has 3.7% lower overall price level
Housing index
Washington
126.0
Colorado
127.4
Colorado has 1.1% higher housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
Washington
101.8
Colorado
100.8
Colorado has 1.0% lower groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
Washington
101.1
Colorado
100.5
Colorado has 0.6% lower utilities
Electricity rate
Washington
14.4 ¢/kWh
Colorado
16.7 ¢/kWh
Colorado has 16% higher electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
Washington
101.4
Colorado
100.6
Colorado has 0.8% lower transportation
Median home value
Washington
$602,200
Colorado
$574,600
Colorado is 4.6% cheaper to buy a home
Median monthly rent
Washington
$1,641/mo
Colorado
$1,627/mo
Colorado is 0.9% cheaper 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
Washington
79°F
Colorado
86°F
Colorado is 8.9% more summer highs
Avg winter low
Washington
35°F
Colorado
18°F
Colorado is 49% less winter lows
Avg annual temperature
Washington
50°F
Colorado
46°F
Colorado is 7.6% less annual temperature
Sunny days / year
Washington
152
Colorado
245
Colorado has 61% higher sunny days
Annual precipitation
Washington
40 in
Colorado
17 in
Colorado is 58% less annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
Washington
39
Colorado
74
Colorado has 90% higher AQI
Snow / year
Washington
29 in
Colorado
69 in
Colorado is 138% more annual snowfall

Get the full WashingtonColorado 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 Washington?

Colorado's overall price level is roughly 103 (US avg = 100), vs about 105.8 for Washington — 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?

Washington tops out at 0% 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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