MOVING TO COLORADO

how many people live in colorado

As for the question of how many people live in Colorado, it is worth noting first that every year between 2011 and 2016 the population of the state was increasing by 60-75 thousand people. These numbers have been achieved by subtracting the number of out-migrants (about 160-190 thousand people annually) from the number of in-migrants (about 235-250 thousand people each year). For the last three years, the annual increase in population was about 1.4%.
Where do people leave for and come from?
The biggest number of Colorado natives are leaving the state to relocate to California, Texas, and Arizona. What is more astonishing is that most of the people who used to live in California decide to settle in Colorado – the biggest outflow of residents is from this state. However, there are many in-migrants coming from Arizona, Texas, Florida, and Illinois too.Another interesting fact is that people who move to Colorado are predominantly young people with degrees and lower-income, while out-migrants are an older population with a higher median income. The fact is that 14% of people who have once left the state because of different reasons return here again. Denver County is the most densely populated and fastest-growing in the state with a population growth of about 115,364 in 2020. As the population continues to shoot up, Colorado is becoming more and more racially diverse.
What is the most interesting fact in this statistics is a big number of both in and out migrants, so it is not difficult to suppose that living in this state has its pros and cons and it is time to find out what they are.
Before moving out of Texas, you need to weigh all the pros and cons of living in Colorado, which will help you calculate your budget correctly, make sure the climate is suitable for health, and also find the right job in advance.

WHY MOVE TO COLORADO

Many people ask for moving advice: if they should relocate to Colorado? But in fact, there is no sense to ask for any tips when you look at the number of benefits this state offers to its residents. Citizens who cannot arrange their professional lives and provide for themselves financially are wondering a question “should i move to Colorado”, which can be answered with confidence in the affirmative, because this is a state with low unemployment and a variety of jobs.

1. Cost of living

Colorado offers reasonable prices for people who live there. The overall cost of living index is 31% higher than the national average one. As of last year, Colorado’s cost of living index was rated 121.1 as compared to the national index of 100. However, the main role in this difference is played by the prices for homes – they are almost twice higher than national average ones. Groceries and transportation are a little bit more expensive, while utilities and healthcare are even lower.
Rental prices are also quite affordable. You need about $1,000 to rent a 1-bedroom apartment.

2. Taxes

Colorado can boast ones of the lowest taxes in the USA. Income tax is 4.63%; property tax is 0.55% average effective rate. However, if a general sales tax is estimated at the rate of 2.9%, every city and county can set additional sales taxes that may reach 11% in some cities.

3. Climate and weather

The climate of Colorado is greatly affected by the geography of the state. Most of the state area is covered with mountains, foothills, and high plains. The biggest part of the country features low humidity and not much precipitation; however, there is much sunshine and cool nights with a clear sky. At the same time, there are many microclimates from subtropical to subarctic depending on the altitude. It means that every person can find a climate that suits him most of all within one state. For example, Denver can boast 300 days of sunshine a year and even winters are rather warm there, let alone other cities and towns. If you love sunny days and are still wondering why move to Colorado, then you already have the answer.

4. Economic growth

Why is everyone moving to Colorado? The state has had a stable economic growth for several years already. It can boast one of the highest GDP in the US and it reflects on the quality of people’s lives too. Many industries continue the growth by creating many new jobs and the leaders in this sphere are construction, information technology, and trade.

5. Low unemployment rate with many jobs

Thanks to the stable economic growth, the state can also boast one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country – it is less than 3%. Moreover, in 2017, WalletHub ranked this state #1 for job opportunities and #2 for being the most attractive state for employment. The Denver Post called job growth in Colorado the “strongest and most consistent”. Colorado is also home to more than 20 out of 500 Fortune companies in the U.S.

6. Mountains

Of course, there are people who are tired of the mountainous landscape, but you will never find a person who does not appreciate that beautiful scenery. Mountains are always mesmerizing. Moreover, they are a perfect place for outdoor activities both in summer and winter. You can enjoy rafting, climbing, cycling, hiking, backpacking, horse riding in warm seasons and enjoy ones of the best ski resorts in winter. There is more than 4.2 km of ski terrain located among 54 mountain peaks. There are also great wildlife watching opportunities too.

7. Active lifestyle

What makes Colorado great for a living is the combination of the excellent work-life balance. You should not go far away to relax after a hard-working day as everything is located very close. It makes local residents ones of the healthiest in the country. People can take up sports here anytime and anywhere thanks to the variety of places to run, cycle, or walk at. No wonder, residents of Colorado suffer from obesity the least in the US

8. Tasty beer

Are you a beer connoisseur? Undoubtedly, Colorado is a place where you can drink beer on a daily basis and never be fed up with it. There are over 230 breweries that constitute 10% of their total number all around the USA. Moreover, here you can find beer from the world-renowned companies and visit a unique festival held annually here. Colorado is often called the Napa Valley of Beer.

9. Sports diversity

If sports is an indispensable part of your life, be sure to enjoy it in Colorado endlessly. The Denver Metropolitan Area can boast 5 professional sports leagues in different kinds of sports including football, basketball, baseball, hockey, and soccer. Local teams have reached heights and won several important competitions, so they never disappoint their fans. Moreover, college sports are also developed at a very high level.

10. The Mary Jane

It’s a controversial point if it is beneficial or not – we leave it up to you. Marijuana or cannabis is legal only in few states and Colorado legalized it in 2014 too. No wonder, smokers would rather move to this state to buy it legally instead of violating laws each time they would like to let their hair down. Moreover, there are many scientists who try to make a medical breakthrough searching for unique treatment possibilities of this plant and here, in Colorado, they can grow it officially and even run business in this sphere.

11. Best cities to live in

Colorado offers many great cities for living. Despite the fact that many people appreciate living in Denver metropolitan area, Boulder has been ranked the fifth in the list of 100 Best Places to Live by Livability in 2016.

12. Many different sights worth visiting

You will not feel bored if you move to Colorado. In addition to a breathtaking landscape, there are four national parks, three historic trails, eleven national forests, forty-four state parks, and 307 wildlife areas to explore. Moreover, there are many places to enjoy the arts and culture of the state. You can visit multiple museums, performing art complex, zoo etc. There are many great places to do shopping including outlet malls and boutique and consignment store scenes.
Many Americans, having once visited the state of Colorado, fall in love with its beauty and lifestyle, decide moving to Colorado with their family for a permanent place.

Reasons not to move to Colorado

What to know before moving to Colorado? In fact, not everything is so good in this state and you may face the following reasons not to move to Colorado.

1. Home prices

According to Zillow, the median sale price of homes in Colorado in 2018 was $359,700. This price has grown by 4.5% during the year. The average annual home price growth is about 7-9%.
For example, prices for homes in Denver are ones of the highest in Colorado, but experts predict that in 2019 they will continue to grow at least 6.8%. Mortgage rates will increase too.

2. Hails, tornado, and thunderstorms

Despite the relatively good weather all around the year, relocation to Colorado must be considered thoroughly if you are afraid of thunder, lightning, and tornados. For the last ten years, they have happened in the territory of the state more often and led to poor consequences.

3. Trash

Residents of Colorado generate 9.6 pounds of trash per one person each day. At the same time, there are only 58 landfills that will run out of space by 2024 already. Moreover, there is much trash in the streets and many cities and town look polluted.

4. Hot spicy food

Colorado has its traditional cuisine that has been influenced by neighboring states as well. Many people taste Rocky Mountain Oysters never thinking that these are bull or bison testicles. Many dishes are served with green chili and it makes them very hot. Bison meat is incredibly popular too, as this state is the 4th largest producer of red meat.

5. Low vaccination rates

Relocation to Colorado can be connected with some medical issues, as in the case of the epidemic situation of any disease, the chances to catch it are very high. The state features the lowest rate of vaccinated population in the country – only 81.7% of children of the kindergarten age.

6. High elevation

People are moving to Colorado being not aware that it is the highest American state. The average elevation of the state is 6,800 feet while there are many peaks that are higher than 14,000 feet. Air is thinner there and there are apparent consequences caused by that. Moreover, being closer to the sun, many people say about a higher risk of getting skin cancer.

7. Higher crime rate

Unfortunately, the crime rate in Colorado is not that low as it could be. Only violent crimes are lower than the average national median – 3.68% in comparison with 4%. But when it comes to property crime, it is 3% higher than the national average one. Even the number of crimes per square mile is 15% higher than on average around the country.

Best cities to live in colorado

An important step when you decide to move to Colorado is choosing a city to live in, because the state offers many settlements with different conditions and levels of cost of living.
If you are thinking about moving to Colorado, it is important to choose a suitable place of living. The list of the Best cities to live in Colorado begins with the following destinations.

Colorado Springs

Being the largest by area and the 2nd most populated city in Colorado, it is also a popular tourist destination thanks to the mountains located there. The city can boast such highly developed industries as military and aerospace, high-tech and, of course, tourism. The city offers multiple attractions as well as considered to be the Olympic city.

Boulder

As it was already mentioned, this city was ranked the 5th among the best places for living. It is always ranked high art, health, education, and well-being. It is a city for a happy and measured life famous for its marathons, cycling routes, music, and dance shows.

Denver

It is a capital of the state ranked number one almost in every moving advice. There is a nickname – the Mile High City – because of the impressive elevation it lies at. It is among the most populous and fastest-growing cities in the country as well as an impressive economic center. The city is famous for being a location for product storage and has become a key trading point in the USA. The city is chosen by many companies moving to Colorado as it took the first prize in the rating of the Best Places for Business and Careers by Forbes.

Aurora

This city takes the third place in the number of population in the state and is rather big in the area too. Aurora has become known to the whole world after a mass shooting in 2012, but now it is a safe place for living with great job opportunities in healthcare, military, education, and government.

Pueblo

Being known as a “Steel city”, Pueblo is one of the major steel producers in the country. It is one of the cheapest cities in Colorado and the sixth most affordable place for living in the USA. Other things that make this city outstanding are being a source of renewable energy, a location of the largest state fair, and many touristic sights.

Grand Junction

Named due to its location this “River city” has reached a title of the major mountain biking destination in the USA. Today, it is also a luxurious ski resort that features other developed industries like healthcare, agriculture, energy mining, education, and retail.

Fort Collins

Being a college city it is home to Colorado State University. However, this city can be also proud of such well-developed industries as high technology, energy, and bioscience. It is proud of its microbreweries, parks, artistic and cultural life.

COST OF LIVING IN COLORADO

Colorado’s population grew at 14.8% with over 5.8 million residents are currently living in the state. From unique culture to refreshing nature, many people flock to Colorado every year. Let’s look at the cost of living breakdown in Colorado to help you get a better idea about living comfortably in the state.

Housing Costs

The medium house price in Colorado, according to Zillow, was about $528,211 at the beginning of 2023. In other words, the housing prices saw an increase of $129,458 in the span of last two years. Not surprisingly, however, the prices will continue to rise in the future.
Additionally, when it comes to living in Colorado, renting a house is a better option than buying a house. This is because renting is a less expensive choice in over 53% of the counties in the state. The average cost of purchasing a house here is $528,211 or $3,456 per month. The cost of renting a house, on the other hand, is just $1,494.

Utilities

Considering the monthly utilities including electricity, water/sewer, internet, natural gas, trash, and cable TV, the average utility bill in Colorado can cost you $241 per month. On the other hand, the typical utility bill in the country is $171. In other words, the utility costs in Colorado are about $70 more than the national average.

Food Costs

Colorado is a healthy state with the main focus on vegan and gluten-free food, , and this is already a great reason for moving to Colorado. That said, your monthly food can be around $553 here. For a family of four, the costs can shoot up to $892 per month.

Healthcare

If you’re looking at the average cost of medical insurance per month excluding a subsidy in the state, you might have to pay about $340 per month. Since the majority of the Colorado population invests a lot in staying fit, the number of hospital visits can be comparatively less.

Transportation

According to a U.S. Energy Information Administration study, a single individual in Colorado spends around $386.09 on gas each year. However, the costs might vary depending upon the county you live in. Other data shows the costs might be anywhere between $400-$700.
Monthly transport in Colorado is widely available through Colorado’s Regional Transportation District (RTD). You can get a monthly pass to avail their services by paying $114-$200.
The typical car insurance costs in the state are $1,363 yearly or $113.61 monthly. Car insurance prices in Colorada are 0.6% higher than the national average. With all factors considered, you can expect to pay around $626.61 monthly for transport.
If you’re wondering what the overall cost of living in Colorado in 2023 is – we’d say it would be about $5,598 per month by considering all the factors.

Jobs in Colorado

As home to over 20 Fortune 500 companies, Colorado has a booming job market. Here’s a quick breakdown of the average salary residents make after moving to the state:

• Average household income - $92,520
• Median household income - $68,811
• Per Capita household income - $36,415
• Minimum hourly wage - $11
• Average hourly pay for regular jobs - $30
• Average annual salary - $62,631

Colorado is the hub for many large industries ranging from tourism to aerospace. Here is a quick list of top sectors operating out of Colorado:

• Advanced manufacturing
• Creative industries
• Aerospace
• Defense and homeland security
• Energy and natural resources
• Health and Wellness and Bioscience
• Information, technology, and electronics
• Food and agriculture
• Financial services
• Tourism and outdoor recreation
• Transportation and logistics

What about jobs in Colorado, as mentioned, Colorado has a lower unemployment rate compared to the national average. That said, experts predict a 46% job growth in the future which would be about 33.5% higher than the national average. The unemployment rate, on the other hand, is 3.1% as compared to the national average of 3.9%
To understand is colorado a good place to live, you can get acquainted with the climate, the economy, prices for services and goods, the level of ecology, the cost of housing and the availability of vacancies on the labor exchange.

colorado state tax

With one of the lowest property tax rates throughout the US, Colorado has a comparatively lower cost of taxes. Here’s a quick breakdown to help you understand Colorado state tax better:

• Sales tax – 2.90% - 11.20%
• Income tax – 4.63%
• Average property tax – 0.55%
• Diesel tax – 20.5 cents per gallon
• Gas tax – 22 cents per gallon

colorado UNIVERSITIES

Colorado is home to 4,570 public schools and 62 universities and colleges. These schools and universities take in more than 200,000 students. Here are a few quick lists of the best schools and colleges in Colorado:

• Best elementary schools – Pawnee School, Creede School, Rocky Mountain Deaf School, and Liberty School
• Best middle schools – Arickaree Undivided High School, Aguilar Junior-Senior High School, Pawnee School, and Creede School
• Best high schools – Fairview High School, Aguilar Junior-Senior High School, Arickaree Undivided High School, and Cherry Creek High School

Here are the best colleges and universities in Colorado:

• Colorado State University
• Colorado School of Mines
• CSU Global
• Colorado College
• University of Denver
• University of Colorado Boulder
• Regis University
• University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus
• University of Northern Colorado

what is colorado known for

Colorado is famous for countless things that are impossible to list out here. However, here are the top 5 things you might find interesting about the state:

• Skiing Venues like the Vail Mountain Resort, Telluride Ski Resort, Breckenridge Ski Resort, Aspen Snowmass, Beaver Creek Resort, and Keystone Resort.
• Beautiful Mountains like the Pikes Peak, Mount Elbert, Longs Peak, Maroon Bells, Mount Sneffels, Mount Evans, and Maroon Bells.
• The Rocky Mountain National Park that sprawls over 265,461 acres and attracts over 4 million tourists annually.
• Dinosaur National Monuments and The Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Monument.
• Legal marijuana

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE MOVING TO COLORADO

It is always easier to move to another state if you are prepared for this. That is why we offer you a guide for those moving to Colorado so that your new stage of life was hassle-free and positive. So read the list of things to know before moving to Colorado.

• Warn companies, organizations, relatives, and friends about your date of leaving.

• Order services of a trustworthy moving company.

• Prepare your new home for the arrival of your belongings.

• Notify utility providers about the date of your moving in.

• Contact DMV office to change your driver’s license and car registration.

• Try to get to your new home when it is not dark yet, as driving at high elevation in the darkness is very dangerous.

• Order new health insurance.

• Look through the parking restrictions and prepare for paying tolls.

• Choose summer or autumn for relocation. Winter and spring feature heavy snowfalls that will make moving twice more stressful.

Having analyzed all moving to Colorado pros and cons, now it is easier to make a decision if this state can become your new home and whether you are ready to withstand all the challenges that might await for you there.

Moving from Сalifornia to Сolorado

One of the main states that provide residents to Colorado has always been and remains California. Why are people moving from California to Colorado? Almost every person will tell you about the cost of living. High prices for homes and other miscellaneous spendings make people look for more affordable places for living, and now about 6% of Colorado residents are native Californians. In 2016, about 27,000 people arrived in Colorado from the Sunshine state and they continue to do that now as well. According to the most recent US Census, over 365,982 people have moved from California to Colorado.
The option of living in colorado is suitable for people who prefer comfort, freedom, lack of rush and abundance of people on the streets, pleasant atmosphere and good ecology.

Colorado Movers

It is not easy to move to another state being not aware of the basic relocation tips. Though it may sound trivial, it is much more affordable, comfortable, and safe to order services of the professional moving company than try to cope with this stressful task yourself.
California Movers is always at your service if you plan relocation. Our dedicated and friendly movers will help you with both commercial and local moving. Moreover, our extensive range of moving services includes long-distance moving,allows getting professional assistance – like packing, loading, transporting, and unloading – in one place and save your money. . With us, you won’t have to deal with the nasty surprise of hidden costs. Our services are high-quality and our costs are 100% transparent. Put an end to your relocation anxiety and ask us for a free quote now!