Moving from Boulder, CO to Orlando, FL
Moving from Boulder, CO to Orlando, FL is a 1875 mi cross-country relocation — about 33h 56m of driving through 8 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
1875 mi · 33h 56m by car · FL → GA → TN → KY → IL → MO → KS → CO
Distance & route
| Route through | FL → GA → TN → KY → IL → MO → KS → CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, US 40, I 75 |
| Major cities en route | Gainesville, South Fulton, Atlanta, Sandy Springs, Chattanooga |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Boulder | Orlando | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.202 | 101.418 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.741 | 87.196 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.052 | 96.24 | 100.0 |
| Services | 157.02 | 123.374 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Orlando and Boulder is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Orlando is 3.6% below Boulder — $964,531 vs $374,136 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Boulder -2.0%, Orlando -3.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Boulder | Orlando |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52°F | 73°F |
| January avg low | 22°F | 50°F |
| July avg high | 88°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 92.8" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 21.2" | 51.5" |
Orlando runs 21.5°F warmer on the annual average (51.5°F vs 73.0°F) — a climate shift you will feel in cooling bills and wardrobe alike.
Orlando gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: BOULDER, CO US, ORLANDO INTL AP, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Boulder | Orlando |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,274 | 311,732 |
| Median household income | $85,364 | $69,268 |
| Median age | 28.8 | 35.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 36.9% | 26.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.42 | 2.46 |
Median household income in Orlando is 3.6% below Boulder ($85,364 → $69,268, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Orlando MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 181,030 | $39,680 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 159,660 | $30,310 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 150,100 | $35,810 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 118,970 | $36,790 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 93,670 | $73,450 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and Florida
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Florida's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements in winter storms.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April — check CDOT alerts before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Orlando average 92°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Orlando averages 51.5 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (21.5°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Hurricane season runs June through November — stock a basic emergency kit (water, flashlight, battery radio) during unpack.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Florida after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Orlando compared to Boulder?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $374,136 in Orlando vs $964,531 in Boulder — a 61.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Boulder and Orlando?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 73.0°F in Orlando vs 51.5°F in Boulder (21.5°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 92.8 in. Annual precipitation: 51.5 in vs 21.2 in.
How does household income compare in Boulder vs Orlando?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $69,268 in Orlando vs $85,364 in Boulder — a 18.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Orlando more expensive than Boulder?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Orlando is 3.6% lower than Boulder (101.418 vs 105.202, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Orlando, FL from Boulder, CO?
The driving distance is 1875 mi and the route typically takes 33h 56m via I 70 and US 40. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Orlando compare to Boulder?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,120 in the Orlando MSA vs $64,750 in the Boulder MSA, on total employment of 1,366,800 and 194,440 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Boulder to Orlando?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1875 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Boulder.
City profiles: Boulder, CO · Orlando, FL.