Things to know before moving from Alabama to Denver, CO

Cost of living: Alabama vs Denver, CO

Alabama Denver
Average rent cost $925 $1,900
Average home value $227,508 $544,237
Average income (per capita) $59,609 $85,853
Unemployment rate 3% 7%
State income tax 5% 5%
  • Rent is about 105% more expensive in Denver than in Alabama.
  • Home prices are about 139% higher in Denver than in Alabama.
  • The average income is about 44% higher in Denver than in Alabama.
  • Denver has a higher unemployment rate than Alabama by about 145%.
  • Income taxes are 10% higher in Denver than in Alabama.

How life is different in Denver from Alabama

Denver Alabama
Population 715,522 5,108,468
Political leaning Republican 49-48 Republican 65-35
Summer high 89ºF 91ºF
Winter low 18ºF 33ºF
Annual rain 17" 56"
Annual snow 60" 1"
Crime index 47.84 21.48
  • The population of Denver is approximately 86% lower than the population of Alabama.
  • In the last presidential election, Denver voted Republican and Alabama voted Republican.
  • The average high in the summertime in Denver is 89ºF and in Alabama, it’s 91ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Denver reaches the temperature of 18ºF and Alabama gets down to 33ºF.
  • You can expect about 17 inches of annual rainfall in Denver vs 56 inches of rainfall in Alabama.
  • In Denver, it snows about 60 inches annually vs 1 inch of snow in Alabama.
  • Denver has a higher crime rate than Alabama with a crime index of 47.84 vs 21.48.

Things to do in Denver

Whether you’re looking for parks, museums, sports, or even universities, you’ll be happy to find a plethora of these in Denver.

Museums in Denvertoggle

  • Denver Botanic Gardens
  • Denver Museum of Nature & Science
  • Denver Art Museum
  • Molly Brown House Museum
  • Forney Museum of Transportation
  • History Colorado Center
  • Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art
  • Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum
  • National Ballpark Museum
  • Clyfford Still Museum
  • The International Church of Cannabis
  • Center for Colorado Women's History
  • Denver Firefighters Museum
  • The Money Museum at the Federal Reserve Bank - Denver Branch
  • American Museum of Western Art

Parks in Denvertoggle

  • Washington Park
  • Denver Mountain Parks
  • City Park - Denver
  • Cheesman Park
  • Sloan's Lake Park
  • Confluence Park
  • Genesee Park
  • Civic Center Park
  • Observatory Park
  • Four Mile Historic Park
  • Sculpture Park
  • Ruby Hill Park
  • Berkeley Park
  • 9th Street Historic Park

Sports Teams in Denvertoggle

  • Denver Broncos (NFL)
  • Colorado Rockies (MLB)
  • Colorado Avalance (NHL)
  • Colorado Rapids (MLS)
  • Denver Nuggets (NBA)

Universities in Denvertoggle

  • Community College of Denver
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver
  • University of Colorado Denver
  • Colorado Heights University
  • Iliff School of Theology
  • Johnson & Wales University
  • Regis University
  • University of Denver
  • The Art Institute of Colorado
  • The College For Financial Planning
  • Colorado Technical University
  • Heritage College
  • Lincoln College of Technology
  • National American University
  • Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design
  • Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Other considerations when moving to Denver, CO

  • Weather: Denver has four distinct seasons and receives most of its precipitation from April through August. Due to its inland location on the High Plains, at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, the region can be subject to sudden changes in weather.
  • HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
  • Elevator reservation: One common and important example of something that should be handled ahead of time is reserving the building's elevator and finding out their rules for using the elevator.
  • Parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles, find out ahead of time with your new local rules.
  • State licensing: The Colorado Public Utilities Commission (COPUC) regulates local and intrastate moving service providers in Colorado. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Colorado moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
  • Moving permits: Colorado does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
  • Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Colorado. Get started here.
  • Mover's insurance: Every state has their own requirements when it comes to insurance. Choose Released Value Protection for its cost-free advantage, provided by movers with minimal coverage. Under this option, the mover's responsibility is capped at 60 cents per pound per article. For instance, if your mover lost or damaged a valuable item, you would only receive compensation based on this limited valuation. If you seek comprehensive coverage for your items' full value, discuss alternative options with the moving company you're hiring or explore third-party insurance providers.
  • Moving checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.

FAQ

How long does a move from Alabama to Denver take?

The time frame for a move from Alabama to Denver, CO, varies based on your moving method and starting location. The actual loading up of your items should not take more than a day, even with DIY moves.

Obviously, the further upstate you are in Alabama, the longer the drive time to Denver will be. If you’re driving a rental truck, the move could be completed in one or two days, on average, depending on your route and how often you stop.

With professional movers or moving containers, delivery times to Denver from Alabama can range from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the company’s schedule and transit logistics. You can always ask for a general timeline before booking.

How far in advance should I book movers when moving from Alabama to Denver?

Because of the 1411-mile move, it’s best to book your move from Alabama to Denver as soon as you have your moving details. Ideally, you’d book your move two to three months ahead of time.

What time of year is the cheapest to move to Denver, CO?

With the summer highs of 89ºF and the winter lows of 18ºF, most people move to Denver from Alabama during the spring and fall months. To avoid competing during those busy moving seasons, you could save some money by booking your move to Denver during summer or winter.

Helpful moving resources