If you live in Colorado and are planning to move, you might be considering hiring movers. To help, we’ve chosen our top picks for Colorado by comparing some of the top movers on ratings and reviews, price, discounts, availability, additional services and other factors.
Read our full methodology below for all the details. Our picks may be Authorized Partners that compensate us — this does not affect our recommendations or evaluations but may impact the order in which companies appear.
To help find the best options for you, our research team started by comparing 80 moving companies. We analyzed ratings and reviews from customers in Colorado as well as other factors, like packing services, storage options and price, and we ultimately chose two companies as our top picks in Colorado.
What to consider when hiring a moving company in Colorado
Choosing a reliable mover is crucial to a smooth and stress-free relocation. To ensure you select the right company, focus on these factors:
Reputation: Read customer reviews on third-party sites and ask about the company's experience and training. If reps come to your house for an in-person survey, see how professional they are.
Service area: Confirm the company can handle your move's distance (local, regional, cross-country, etc.).
Pricing, fees and policies: Seek clear, transparent pricing (ask if you’ll pay hourly or by a flat rate). Inquire about hidden fees, add-ons and policies for lost/damaged items and cancellations.
Additional services: Ask upfront about packing, unpacking, storage and moving of specialty items — these can affect cost.
The cost of moving depends largely on distance and how many belongings you have. Local movers typically charge by the hour, averaging $80 to $100 per hour for two movers. Long-distance movers often charge a flat fee, averaging $5,000 to $10,000, for moves over 1,000 miles.
Other products and services, like packing, storage and additional insurance, add to the cost. Factors like home size, location, extra stops, specialty items and time of year can also affect pricing. Tipping movers is customary (usually 10% to 20% of the total cost). To save money, consider decluttering, moving during an offseason and asking about discounts. You can also move yourself, but this may make an already stressful relocation more difficult.
Estimates for moving services from Denver (80202)
The figures below are based on current (as of publishing) industry estimates for a three-bedroom home with no additional services.
Tips for a successful move in Colorado
There are ways to simplify the process and make a move less stressful — it just takes some planning.
1. Think about how much time, energy and money the move will require
Evaluate your time frame, how much you need moved and your moving budget. Set aside extra funds for unexpected costs if you can.
2. Declutter
To save on costs, try reducing the weight and volume of your belongings. Consider donating or selling items you no longer need — your city or town may have local or national charities that offer donation pickup.
3. Get a head start on packing
Start packing seasonal or less frequently used items first. As you get closer to your move-out date, aim to pack one room per day and label boxes clearly.
Pack a box or bag for each person in your household that has essentials for moving day and the day after. Include a change of clothes, toiletries and any necessary medications — you don’t want to be without these during the move, especially if you’re driving a long distance.
5. Have a plan for contacting your mover
Ensure you have a reliable contact for the moving company so you can communicate logistics, ask questions and track your move. Some companies offer tracking via an app; find out if yours has this ahead of time so you can download it and be ready for moving day.
The cost of renting a moving truck varies widely, from under $100 to several thousand dollars, depending on the truck's size, the distance traveled and the rental duration. For local moves, expect to pay around $20 per day plus mileage fees.
How much should I budget for moving boxes and other supplies?
New moving boxes for a large home can be expensive. Consider reusing old boxes or getting them from friends, family or grocery/liquor stores to save money. Additional moving supplies, like packing paper and cushioning, can add up, so budget around $100 for these.
How much does it cost to ship a car?
Long-distance car shipping typically costs between $500 and $1,700. The exact price depends on factors like the distance traveled and the type of vehicle you need shipped.
Does Colorado have a high cost of living?
Due in large part to high housing costs, Colorado’s cost of living is higher than average, particularly in Denver and Boulder.
Methodology
ConsumerAffairs carefully collects in-depth, verified reviews to tell each customer’s experience with a company. We believe customer experiences are a crucial indicator when evaluating companies, so these reviews are a significant factor when selecting our top picks.
To choose the top moving companies in Colorado, we started with the 80 popular providers listed in our main moving guide. First, we narrowed it down to the ones available in Colorado. We then weighted several key features to get our final rankings:
Storage options: We looked at the availability of storage units and any free storage periods.
Packing services: We considered the types of packing services offered, including whether a company offers packing services and whether it offers both full and partial packing.
Deposit requirements: We prioritized companies that ask for 20% or less down versus those with higher deposit requirements.
Discounts: We outlined how many discounts each company offers and what types (e.g., senior, military, student).
App: We gave a company preference if it has an app with a useful service, like requesting a quote or tracking a move.
Best cities to move to in Colorado in 2025
Colorado is one of the most popular states to move to. From 2022 to 2023, an estimated 211,370 people moved to the Centennial State from another state, the 12th highest number in the country, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Colorado is home to places with strong economies, affordable housing and low crime.
From Denver to Montrose and everywhere in between, the ConsumerAffairs Research Team analyzed the 30 largest cities in Colorado across five categories — affordability, economic strength, safety, education and health care, and quality of life — to determine the best places to live in Colorado in 2025.
Key insights for best cities to move to in Colorado
Louisville, about 10 miles southeast of Boulder, ranks as the number one place to live in Colorado, thanks to its high scores in affordability, education and health care, and quality of life.
Boulder ranked lowest among the Colorado cities on our list due to its high cost of living and the highest poverty and employment rates among the state's largest cities.
With nearly 300 days of annual sunshine, 28 ski resorts and four national parks, Colorado draws people with its natural beauty and outdoor lifestyle. The state’s healthy economy also plays a role in attracting movers, with job opportunities available across the advanced manufacturing, energy, financial services, health and tourism industries. If you're planning a move to Colorado, here are the top cities to put on your list.
1. Louisville
Originally founded as a mining town in the late 1800s, Louisville now ranks as the best place to move to in Colorado. A combination of affordability, high-quality education and health care, and quality of life factors put this city on top. The middle-class, suburban town near Boulder offers a plethora of job opportunities, including in the biomedical and aerospace fields.
Great affordability: Median housing costs in Louisville consume only 18% of the median income on average — the lowest rate among the 30 cities.
High graduation rate: The high school graduation rate of 98.2% is the highest of any city.
Parks and green spaces: 97% of residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park — the highest percentage on our list. According to the city, 26% of the town is dedicated to open space, parks and public spaces.
2. Centennial
Centennial earned the No. 2 spot on our list on the strength of its economy score, which is the highest of all 30 cities. The largest employers in the city, about 14 miles southeast of Denver, are Comcast, UnitedHealthcare and Arrow Electronics.
The best economy: Centennial has the best economy ranking on our list, with very few residents below the poverty line (3.1%) and home value appreciation of 2.35% between 2023 and 2024.
Access to health care: There are nearly 29 health care practitioners per 1,000 residents — one of the best ratios on our list.
Affordable housing: Residents only spend a median of 19.6% of their household income on housing costs — the second-lowest percentage on our list.
3. Broomfield
Broomfield’s location — roughly equidistant from Boulder and Denver — is just part of its appeal. It ranks first on our list for education and health care. In a 2023 community survey, 91% of respondents said Broomfield was a good or excellent place to live.
Accessible health care: With nearly 32 health care practitioners per 1,000 people, Broomfield ranks only behind Denver.
Great safety: The city’s violent crime rate of 1.61 incidents per 1,000 residents is one of the lowest on our list.
Decent affordability: Although the median rent in Broomfield is on the higher end ($2,094), median annual housing costs take up only 20.4% of the median income, which is near the bottom of our list and well below the recommended maximum of 30%.
4. Parker
From its humble beginnings in the 1860s, when gold seekers followed trails looking for fortunes in the area, Parker has grown into a city of over 60,000 people 25 miles from Denver. Today, it's home to over 27 miles of multiuse, concrete trails and 14 parks. Parker is first in quality of life ranking and has the second-highest economy score.
The best quality of life: Parker has 115 trails per 10,000 people — the most of any city.
Excellent economy: The unemployment rate in Parker is just 3%; no city has a lower rate. Parker also has the third-lowest percentage of people living below the poverty line (3.2%).
Low violent crime: The city’s violent crime rate of two incidents per 1,000 residents contributes to a fourth-place finish in safety.
5. Littleton
Littleton rounds out the top five through a combination of its economy, education and health care, and quality of life. Littleton’s popularity began with the Pikes Peak gold rush of 1859 and has continued through the 21st century. It offers the lowest median rent among the top five cities and has the fourth-best park access of all cities.
Great park access: Littleton earned its No. 2 quality of life ranking in large part because 94% of people live within a 10-minute walk of a park.
Quality economy: The city has the fourth-highest economy score, including a low unemployment rate (3.8%) and decent home value appreciation (2.46%).
Health care access: There are over 28 health care practitioners per 1,000 people — the fifth most on our list.
See how the rest of Colorado compares
The table below ranks the 30 largest cities in Colorado across five key categories: safety, affordability, economy, education and health care, and quality of life. No matter what you prioritize, these cities have something special to offer. Check out our chart below to discover which city best suits your needs.
Best places to move to in Colorado methodology
To identify the best cities to move to in Colorado, the ConsumerAffairs Research Team evaluated the 30 most populous cities in the state across five weighted categories. In each category, the city that performed the best was given the highest possible score, with others getting relative scores. We added the category scores together to get an overall score, which is out of 100 points.
Safety (30 points): This score is based on the violent crime (15 points) and property crime (15) rates per 1,000 residents. Data is from NeighborhoodScout.
Affordability (30 points): This category includes median housing costs as a percentage of median household income (15 points) and median rent for December 2024 (15). Data is from the U.S. Census Bureau and Zillow.
Economy (20 points): The economy score considers each city’s poverty rate (8 points), unemployment rate (5) and home value appreciation rate from 2023 to 2024 (7). Data is from the U.S. Census Bureau and Zillow.
Education and health care (10 points): This category includes the number of health care professionals per 1,000 people (5 points) and the percentage of the population that has graduated high school (5). Data is from the U.S. Census Bureau.
Quality of life (10 points): The quality of life score considers the percentage of residents who live within a 10-minute walk of a park (5 points) and the number of trails per 10,000 people (5). Data is from The Trust for Public Land and AllTrails.
For questions about the data or if you'd like to set up an interview, please contact acurls@consumeraffairs.com
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Best places to move in Colorado article sources
ConsumerAffairs writers primarily rely on government data, industry experts and original research from other reputable publications to inform their work. Specific sources for this article include:
Provides residential and commercial moving and storage solutions. Offers various container sizes. Local moves tend to cost about $500. Most long-distance moves cost between $1,000 and $3,000. Month-to-month pod rental.
Licensed moving broker. Offers long-distance and military moves, auto transport and packing services. Free quotes. Works with authorized carriers. Available across the U.S. Online payments.
A brokerage company that arranges transportation for your move. Offers auto transport, packing and storage services. Not available in all states. Serves some states only partially. Free quote online or by phone.
Tailored moving services. Professional, experienced movers. Commitment to customer satisfaction, transparent pricing and a track record of reliable service. Moves out of state. Backed by years of expertise.
Licensed moving company that offers local, long-distance and international moves. Services available by van, freight, air and ocean. Works in the entire U.S. and more than 180 countries. Free moving quotes available.
Specializes in moves for corporations, military personnel and seniors. Charges from $2,000 to $5,000 for long-distance moves. Provides door-to-door relocation options. Offers furniture assembly and protection.
Broker that specializes in interstate moves for residential and commercial customers. Handles moves of all sizes. Packing services available. Free quotes include tolls, taxes, fuel and all other fees.
Offers storage and local, long-distance and office moving services from its location in Boynton Beach, Florida. Hires carriers for moves and provides a team of moving professionals.
Offers long-distance moving and corporate relocation services. Packing services and storage available. Serves the continental U.S. Charges between $2,500 and $5,000 for a two-bedroom move from Philadelphia to Kansas City.
Offers long-distance, military, commercial and corporate moving services. No extra charges for last-minute moves. Requires a significant deposit to reserve a move. Cross-country moves typically cost from $2,000 to $5,000.
Brokers moving services nationwide. Works with both residential and commercial customers. Arranges local and long-distance moves. Also offers packing and storage services. Provides free quotes.
Miami moving and storage company. Local, long-distance and corporate moving services available. Optional storage services at its secure storage facility. Prices start at $435 for a three-hour local move.
Moving company based in North Carolina. Offers local, long-distance, commercial and military moving services. Packing and storage options are available. Provides a free quote with no hidden costs. Available 24/7.
Offers local, long-distance, international and commercial moving services. Local moves cost $150 to $900. Most interstate moves cost $1,000 to $4,000. Storage services, auto transport and specialty packing services available.
Transports locally, long-distance and internationally. Offers residential and commercial moving. Also offers storage and archive services. Uses sustainable practices. Offers 24-hour customer support and mobile app.
Over 95 years in service. Cross-country and long-distance moves. Offers a variety of packing, moving and storage services. Vehicle shipping. Covers all 50 states and international moves.
Provides movable storage boxes you pack and unload yourself. Handles moves of at least 100 miles. Offers free quotes and flexible storage options. Does not offer services for local moves. Typical moves cost from $500 to $2,500.
Over 90 years in service. Cross-country and long-distance moves. Offers a variety of packing, moving and storage services. Vehicle shipping. Covers all 50 states and international moves.
National mover licensed in all 50 states. Provides a single point of contact for support on all moves. Offers multiple services, including white-glove delivery, antique moving and motorcycle moving. Rents storage units.
Matches clients with moving service providers. Local and long-distance moving in 28 states. Provides tailored packages. Offers hourly labor for loading and unloading. Sells packing supply kits. Offers a tracking app.
Rents 12- to 26-feet-long moving trucks. Sells packing materials. Free unlimited mileage on one-way trips. Discounts for AAA members and other programs. Minimum rental periods apply. A move from Houston to Dallas costs about $202.
Specializes in long-distance moves. Charges around $2,500 for a cross-country move. Full packing and unpacking services. Short- and long-term storage options available. Provides a dedicated moving coordinator. Military discounts.
Offers container shipping, storage, moving tools, packing supplies and hitches. Rental options include pickups and 26-foot trucks. Serves the U.S. and Canada. Hourly and per-mile fees. Local moves cost as little as $19.95 a day.
Provides moving services for all types of households. Performs local, long-distance and international moves as well as military and government relocations. Add-on packages start at $195.
Handles moving and relocation services across the contiguous U.S. Offers commercial and residential moving services, packing services and auto transport. Provides discounts for military, early booking and same-day booking.
Rents out moving trucks and accessories for residential and commercial moves. Offers packing, loading and unloading assistance. Sells packing supplies. Available nationwide. Provides discounts for students, vets and older adults.