CO → TX · Down from the Rockies

Moving from Colorado to Texas?

Colorado residents moving to Texas — drawn by Texas's no-income-tax, lower housing costs in most markets, and strong job opportunities. A growing migration as Colorado's Front Range has become increasingly expensive.

  • 880 mi Distance
  • 13-14 hours (2-day drive) Drive time
  • 110 → 93 Cost of living
The Story

Colorado-to-Texas is a reversal of the more traditional Texas-to-Colorado flow — driven by Denver's dramatic home-price appreciation (median home prices up 70%+ since 2015) pushing longtime Coloradans to Texas's more affordable metros. Austin, Dallas, and Houston have absorbed significant CO migration, particularly from Denver tech workers.

Why This Move

Why people move from Colorado to Texas.

  • Texas no state income tax vs Colorado's 4.4% flat
  • Denver home prices dramatically higher than most TX metros ($595K vs $310K)
  • Austin tech scene offers comparable tech career opportunities
  • Dallas and Houston offer corporate career paths Denver's economy doesn't fully match
  • Texas warmer winters — relief from Colorado's snow and cold
  • Lower cost of living overall
Cost Comparison

The money side of CO → TX.

Colorado

  • Median home price$595,000
  • Income tax4.4% flat
  • Sales tax2.9% state (7.7% with local)
  • Cost index110

Texas

  • Median home price$310,000
  • Income tax0% (no state income tax)
  • Sales tax6.25% state (8.2% with local)
  • Cost index93
Popular City Pairings

Where Colorado residents usually land in Texas.

Common origin-to-destination city pairs along this route.

Driving Routes

How to drive Colorado to Texas.

  • I-25 + I-40 + I-35

    Primary: I-25 south from Denver to Albuquerque, I-40 east, I-35 south to Austin/Dallas area. 13-14 hours.

  • I-70 East + I-35

    For Dallas: I-70 east to Kansas, I-35 south into TX. Shorter for Dallas-bound.

  • I-25 + I-10

    For Houston: I-25 south through NM, I-10 east to Houston. 18-20 hours; mostly desert driving.

What To Know

Planning your CO → TX move.

  • Texas summer heat (95-105°F with humidity in Houston) vs Colorado's dry 80-90°F
  • Colorado's outdoor recreation (mountains, skiing) not replicable in Texas
  • Property taxes 2-2.3% in TX vs CO's 0.5% (very low) — partial offset
  • Hurricane risk in Gulf Coast TX; tornado risk statewide
  • Politics shift from competitive/blue Colorado to firmly red Texas at state level
  • Altitude adjustment reverse (TX sea level, CO 5,280+ feet)
Common Questions

Moving from Colorado to Texas: FAQ.

Is the tax savings really substantial?

Yes. CO household earning $150K pays ~$6,600 state income tax; TX charges $0. Plus significantly lower home prices (often $200K+ less for equivalent home). Property taxes higher in TX but savings on income tax and housing typically net $15,000-$25,000/year benefit for comparable households.

Will I miss the mountains?

Likely yes. Colorado's Rocky Mountain access (skiing, hiking, 14ers) is a defining lifestyle feature. Texas has Hill Country around Austin (charming but not mountains), Big Bend in far west Texas (remote), and... that's about it for mountain experiences. Many Colorado transplants find they need to plan frequent trips back to Colorado or New Mexico for mountain fix.

Moving CO → TX?

Let's find the right interstate mover for your Colorado-to-Texas move.

Free advice from people who know both markets. No obligation, no spam, no sales pressure.

Replies within 1 hour during business hours, 9am to 5pm ET, Mon-Fri.