Moving from Colorado to Montana ($1,200-$5,980)
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The cost to move from Colorado to Montana ranges from $1,200 to $5,980 with full-service movers, based on 774 real quotes from moveBuddha users. Our moving cost calculator weighs your exact distance, home size, and move date together, so your estimate reflects this specific Colorado to Montana route rather than a flat average.
How much does it cost to move from Colorado to Montana?
The average cost of moving from Colorado to Montana with full-service movers typically ranges between $1,200 to $5,980 for a studio to 3-bedroom home. We calculated this average by reviewing 774 real-time quotes provided to moveBuddha users over the past 90 days. The average moving distance quoted was 780 miles.
The final price of your Colorado to Montana move will be dependent on the type of mover you choose, how much you're moving, time of year, distance, access, and add-on services. Get a free and accurate estimate using our moving cost calculator.
The rates below are for full-service movers, meaning the crew loads, transports, and unloads your belongings for you:
| Move Size | Full-Service Mover Cost |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,200 - $4,370 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,340 - $5,980 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,390 - $8,370 |
How much do moving containers cost from Colorado to Montana?
A moving container from Colorado to Montana costs between $810 and $3,570, depending on how much you're moving. For a 2-3 bedroom home, expect $1,490 to $2,820, roughly 50% less than full-service movers on this route. You pack and load the container yourself; the container company handles the 780-mile drive.
| Move Size | Moving Container Cost |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $810 - $1,860 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,490 - $2,820 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $1,890 - $3,570 |
32% of movers in Colorado offer climate-controlled storage, worth asking about if your container needs to sit before delivery.
How much does a rental truck cost from Colorado to Montana?
A rental truck from Colorado to Montana costs between $570 and $1,520. For a 2-3 bedroom home, budget $650 to $1,330, about 80% less than hiring full-service movers. That figure covers the truck itself; with gas in Colorado averaging $2.84 per gallon, fuel for the 780-mile drive, plus insurance, equipment rental, and lodging, all land on top of the base rate.
| Move Size | Rental Truck Cost |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $570 - $1,040 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $650 - $1,330 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $800 - $1,520 |
Add-on costs for a Colorado to Montana move
Most Colorado to Montana estimates start as a base transport figure and climb from there as accessorials get attached. Knowing which ones actually apply to a 780-mile move is the difference between a quote that holds and one that moves on delivery day.
At 780 miles, a Colorado to Montana move is typically a one-to-two-day haul. That's the range where storage-in-transit and shuttle fees start appearing on quotes, since your shipment may sit briefly before a delivery window opens in Montana. Guaranteed-delivery upgrades are available but uncommon at this distance.
Montana's cost of living runs about 9% above Colorado's, so destination-side charges on this route price above national averages, including shuttle service, long carries, and storage near Billings. Origin-side labor in Colorado is the cheaper end of this move.
| Add-On Service | Typical Cost (Colorado to Montana) |
|---|---|
| Full packing service | $600 - $1,560 |
| Packing materials only | $140 - $390 |
| Specialty item (piano, safe, pool table) | $310 - $860 |
| Appliance disconnect & reconnect | $90 - $250 |
| Stair or elevator carry | $80 - $250 |
| Storage-in-transit (per month) | $180 - $430 |
| Shuttle service at delivery | $200 - $580 |
| Auto transport (1 vehicle) | $440 - $670 |
| Full-value protection | 1% - 2% of declared shipment value |
Released-value protection at 60¢ per pound is included at no charge on every interstate move, but it pays out almost nothing on a damaged item. A 40-pound TV settles at $24. Full-value protection is the line item most worth the money on a 780-mile haul. Our moving cost calculator prices these accessorials into your Colorado to Montana estimate up front instead of leaving them to surface on moving day.
69% of movers in Colorado handle piano moves, 26% handle pool tables, and 40% handle safes — confirm your mover covers whichever specialty item you're moving before booking. 22% of Colorado movers require a deposit to book, and 26% offer full-value protection as an add-on rather than folding it into every quote.
Our recommended Colorado to Montana Movers
These movers average a 82% positive review rate among Colorado movers we track.
Compare movers for your Colorado to Montana move
Here are the top long-distance movers in Colorado we've reviewed that can help with your move to Montana:
57% of Colorado movers we track offer instant online quotes, well above the 45% national average, so you can compare several before picking up the phone.
1800 Wazee St, Ste 343, Denver, CO 80202
4015 John Deer Dr, Fort Collins, CO 80524
113 Hickory Street, Fort Collins, CO 80524
2009 Wadsworth Blvd, Lakewood, CO 80214
3220 Fillmore Ridge Heights, Colorado Springs, CO 80907
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Alternate Colorado to Montana moving options
DIY moving options offer real cost savings on a Colorado to Montana move, with the right choice depending on how hands-on you want to be. Moving containers run about 50% less than full-service interstate movers, and rental trucks come in around 80% less.
With a rental truck (ex: U-Haul), you handle all the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus added costs like fuel, insurance, and equipment rentals on top of the base rate. If you'd rather skip the heavy lifting, local labor-only crews in Colorado run $60 - $80 per hour to load the truck for you, while you still drive and unload on the Montana end. 65% of movers in Colorado offer labor-only service, so finding one shouldn't take long.
With a moving container (ex: PODS), you handle the packing and loading in Colorado on your own timeline, and the container company will drop it off in Montana for you to unload. A standard 16-foot container (the size most 2-3 bedroom interstate moves need) typically runs $317 - $837 to rent in Colorado, before the long-distance haul fee shown above is added.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 774 real quotes from Colorado to Montana over the past 3 months, giving us some of the most up-to-date pricing data around. Running your move through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Montana to Colorado guide.
Colorado to Montana cost of living comparison
moveBuddha tracks moving trends across every major U.S. route. Cost of living, job markets, housing affordability, and lifestyle are the top drivers of state-to-state moves. Here's how Colorado and Montana compare on the factors that most commonly drive this relocation:
| Factor | Colorado | Montana |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 91 | 100 |
| Average household income | $87,598 | $66,341 |
| Median home value | $541,072 | $462,631 |
| Unemployment rate | 4.1% | 3.3% |
| State income tax | 5.49% | 6.75% |
| Average monthly rent | $1,594 | $974 |
| Average sales tax | 7.81% | 0.0% |
| Crime index | 36.4 | 23.37 |
| College graduation rate | 44.42% | 34.8% |
| Population | 5,877,610 | 1,132,812 |
Montana has a higher cost of living than Colorado, so most people moving in this direction are doing so for career, family, or lifestyle reasons rather than affordability. Budget for higher housing costs and day-to-day expenses compared to what you're used to in Colorado.
Montana's largest industries are Real estate and rental and leasing ($7.1 billion), Educational services, health care, and social assistance ($5.4 billion), and Professional and business services ($3.9 billion), worth a look if a job change is part of this move.
FAQs: Moving from Colorado to Montana
Are full-service movers worth it for a Colorado to Montana move?
People making this move are often chasing unmatched natural beauty in Montana.Full-service makes sense for a large home (3+ bedrooms), a tight timeline, or high-value items. DIY fits a smaller home (1-2 bedrooms) when cost matters most and you have time to spare. Moving containers, about 50% less than full-service, split the difference by skipping the drive.
How long does it take to move from Colorado to Montana?
Expect 2 - 7 days from pickup to delivery, depending on distance, your mover's routing, and whether your shipment is consolidated with others. Moving containers take longer, typically 1 - 2 weeks from loading to delivery since they ship by scheduled ground freight. Rental trucks give you the most control since you drive directly, but add 1 - 2 days depending on distance.
Should I ship my car when moving from Colorado to Montana?
The choice to ship versus drive your car comes down to distance, timeline, and vehicle count. Auto transport for a Colorado to Montana move typically costs $600 - $1,500 depending on distance and vehicle type, with open transport cheaper than enclosed. Most people ship when the drive would take more than 2 days, or they're relocating more than 1 vehicle.
How far in advance should I book an interstate move?
Book 4-8 weeks ahead for off-season moves (October-April), or 8-12 weeks ahead for peak season (mid-May-mid-September). This 780-mile route runs Colorado to Montana.
Who regulates interstate moves?
Interstate moves are regulated federally by the FMCSA. Verify your mover's USDOT number for free at FMCSA's carrier lookup tool. Report violations at 1-888-368-7238. You can also look up licensed movers in Colorado at Colorado's official regulatorandin Montana at Montana's official regulator.
Popular Colorado to Montana moving routes
These are the most common city-to-city moves on the Colorado to Montana corridor. Each guide covers local mover recommendations, cost estimates specific to those metro areas, and neighborhood information to help you plan your destination.
- Denver, CO to Billings, MT Movers
- Denver, CO to Missoula, MT Movers
- Colorado Springs, CO to Billings, MT Movers
- Aurora, CO to Billings, MT Movers
- Colorado Springs, CO to Missoula, MT Movers
- Aurora, CO to Missoula, MT Movers
- Fort Collins, CO to Billings, MT Movers
- Fort Collins, CO to Missoula, MT Movers
- Browse All Colorado Routes
Moving from Colorado to Montana: the bottom line
The cost to move from Colorado to Montana ranges from $1,200 - $5,980 for a studio to 3-bedroom home with full-service movers. Moving containers and rental trucks cost 50% - 80% less for the same move. For most people making this 780-mile relocation, hiring a full-service mover is the most reliable option, especially for larger homes, time-sensitive moves, or relocations involving high-value items.
To get the best price, collect at least 3 quotes, book 4 - 12 weeks in advance depending on your season, and schedule a mid-week, mid-month pickup date when possible. Use our moving cost calculator to compare costs across all service types for your specific home size.
