Moving to Arizona from Colorado
Colorado is one of Arizona’s top sources of new residents — and most people making the move are ready to leave the long winters, the snow, and the altitude behind for easy, sunny desert living.
Roughly 10,300 Coloradans move to Arizona in a typical year, making Colorado the #4 source of new Arizonans. Coloradans love the outdoors — and Arizona keeps that, minus the snow-shoveling and the thin mountain air. For 55+ movers, it usually comes down to milder winters, easier living, lower altitude, and cost.
Straight talk: Colorado is spectacular. But the winters are long, the Front Range has gotten expensive, and the altitude gets harder on some people over time. Arizona offers the same love of the outdoors with year-round mild weather — and often a lower cost of living.
Why Coloradans choose Arizona
- No more long winters. Trade months of snow and ice for roughly 300 sunny days and mild winters you can actually be outside in year-round.
- Lower altitude. Metro Phoenix sits around 1,000–1,200 feet versus a mile high (or higher) in much of Colorado — easier on the lungs and heart for some people (talk with your doctor about what’s right for you).
- Cost and equity. Front Range home prices have climbed steeply; selling and buying in Arizona can free up meaningful cash. Arizona’s flat 2.5% income tax is also lower than Colorado’s flat state rate.
- No tax on Social Security and no state estate or inheritance tax in Arizona.
- The active-adult lifestyle. Golf, hiking, pickleball, and the country’s deepest set of 55+ communities — the outdoor, active life Coloradans want, all winter long.
The honest trade-offs
You’re swapping crisp mountain summers for hot desert ones (dry, but hot, June–September — our honest take: can you handle the heat?). You’ll trade alpine scenery for desert-and-mountain landscapes — different, and most people grow to love it. And you’ll want a straight answer on water, which we give on Is there enough water in Arizona?
The quick comparison
General picture (figures change — verify before relying on them):
| Colorado | Arizona | |
|---|---|---|
| Winters | Long, snowy, cold | Mild, sunny (~300 sunny days) |
| Elevation (metro) | ~5,280 ft and up | ~1,000–1,200 ft |
| State income tax | Flat, higher than AZ | 2.5% flat |
| Tax on Social Security | Partially taxed (with age-based relief) | Not taxed |
Done with the snow? Let’s talk before you head south.
Reach out early and we’ll have a shortlist and honest answers ready before your first trip. It costs nothing to start.
Start the conversation Call or Text (480) 710-6326How the move works from out of state
It’s most of what we do. We start by phone or video while you’re still in Colorado, narrow down communities that fit, and tour efficiently when you visit (you ride with us). We handle the HOA and community homework and represent you through closing. Start with Why retire in Arizona? and the communities we serve.
Frequently asked questions
How many people move to Arizona from Colorado?
Colorado is Arizona’s #4 source of new residents — roughly 10,300 in a recent year per U.S. Census-based data. Figures update annually.
Is Arizona cheaper than Colorado?
Often, yes — Front Range housing has become expensive, and Arizona’s income tax is lower. Costs vary by city in both states, so compare specific areas. We’re glad to help you think it through.
Will the lower altitude really make a difference?
Some people find lower elevation easier on breathing and the heart, but it’s individual — please talk with your physician. What’s consistent is the milder winter weather and year-round outdoor living.
Check it yourself — sources
- Migration data: USAFacts (U.S. Census-based)
- Arizona taxes: Arizona Department of Revenue; Colorado: Colorado Department of Revenue
Figures change and vary by location — confirm current numbers before deciding.
Coming from Colorado? Let’s talk.
I’m Jarl Kubat, a licensed Arizona agent with 22+ years in the state’s 55+ communities. I help people leave the snow behind all the time — reach out early and I’ll have answers and a shortlist ready.
Call or Text: (480) 710-6326 ContactPlease verify before you rely on this. This page is general educational information believed accurate as of August 2026. Home prices, tax rates, and migration figures change over time and vary by location, and everyone’s situation is different. Nothing here is legal, tax, financial, or medical advice. Confirm current figures with the official sources linked above or a qualified professional before making decisions. Jarl Kubat is a licensed Arizona real estate agent.