Colorado Vs. Texas (What’s The Difference?)

 

Colorado and Texas are two very popular states in the United States.

Interestingly, people often make decisions based on careers and lifestyle choices that will have them deciding whether or not to move to Colorado or Texas.

Whether you are looking to go to Colorado or Texas for a vacation or you think you may want to stay awhile, we have some of the information that you need the most.

Let’s take a look at the ways that Colorado and Texas differ.

Understanding these differences will, without a doubt, help you to make a better decision about which could be the right place for you to move.

 

Colorado Vs. Texas (What’s The Difference?)

 

Obviously, when you are looking at Colorado and Texas, you will have to consider the fact that they are not going to be the same geographically, but there are other things that are worth looking into as well.

Things like weather, taxes, cost of living, and more can all play into the decision you have in front of you.

We chose some of the biggest differences that you can see between Colorado and Texas and will help you consider some things that you likely never thought of.

 

1. Weather

 

When looking at the weather in both Colorado and Texas, it is important to think about the fact that both of these states are very large.

This means that you could live in one area of Texas that experiences a certain type of weather that another part of the state may not get.

However, we will look at the states as a whole to give you a better idea as to what to expect.

With Colorado and Texas, you will find a large number of people moving there for outdoor activities.

Getting to enjoy the slightly milder winters in Texas is something that many people enjoy.

Colorado has four distinct seasons, and there is typically some snow and quite a bit of rain in the area.

Overall, the state of Texas is warmer than Colorado.

If you don’t like shoveling snow and you want to avoid it at all costs, Texas may not even be warm enough, but it gives you a better chance.

The good news for those who live in Colorado is that the winter snowstorms are typically followed up by some warmer weather that makes the winter not feel quite as bad as it might in other places.

 

2. Income Tax

 

The great thing about Texas is that there is no state income tax.

This is a tremendous benefit for those who are looking to save a bit of money on their next tax return.

However, the tax rates in Denver will be around 5% which is not terribly high.

However, in the end, it will make a difference in what you pay each year.

Also, it is important to remember that the collection of state income tax can sometimes help to lower payments that you will be responsible for in other areas.

For instance, in Texas, you will have much higher property taxes than you will in Colorado.

Colorado also has lower sales tax than Texas.

This means that even though there are savings on income tax, you can expect that the overall tax rates are going to be about the same when you look at all types of taxes that are involved.

 

3. Cost Of Living

 

When it comes to the cost of living, there is no question that Colorado will be a bit higher than Texas.

The cost of living in Colorado is well above the national average.

Homeowners in Colorado who have been there for many years can likely tell you that they have felt this gradual increase in the cost of living over the years.

The cost of living is a very important factor to consider because it will incorporate into all areas of your life.

The cost of living associated with your state will also have a major impact on the type of home you can purchase.

The home prices in Texas are typically a bit lower than they are on average nationally.

This has to do with the fact that the cost of living in Texas is lower than it is across the rest of the United States.

Even when you choose to live in a major city in Texas, the overall pricing will be considerably lower than it is in other areas in Colorado.

Starter homes in Colorado will sell for $500,000 or more while in Texas, you may still find something in the mid $200,000 range.

The bottom line is that everything from your groceries to your health care will be cheaper in Texas.

If you are moving to Colorado to take advantage of a great job, this may not be all that worrisome for you, but it is something that most people need to consider.

 

4. Terrain And Landscape

 

When you think about Colorado, the first thing that will likely come to mind are the mountains.

The mountains in Colorado are some of the nicest in the United States, and they will help Colorado stand out as a very unique state.

Texas is not going to be a spot for mountain biking or hiking quite as much, although there are some smaller mountains.

The great thing that Texas has to offer is a bit of coastline and even some rivers and lakes.

Overall, people think that living in Colorado means that they are going to have access to a more outdoorsy and adventurous life.

However, there is plenty to do in Texas.

There are some areas like South Padre Island and Santa Elena Canyon that have been attracting visitors for many years.

Although the look of these two states is entirely different, both of them have some great benefits to offer.

 

5. Vehicle Costs

 

Although you are probably going to pay similar prices for the purchase of a vehicle in either state, the fees moving forward will be much different in Texas than they are in Colorado.

In Colorado, you can expect to pay about two-thirds of the price you will pay in Texas for a car insurance policy.

Colorado car insurance is affordable, whereas Texas vehicle insurance is quite a bit higher.

The most important thing to consider here is the overall cost of living.

The cost of living in Texas is quite a bit lower, and because of that, you will likely have some room in your budget for this more expensive car insurance.

However, knowing what the insurance costs are before you move to the state of Texas is essential.

It could help you choose the car you are going to purchase before your move.

One of the reasons that the insurance cost is so much higher in Texas is that the regulations and restrictions on a car and what owners need to know are much more involved.

You must have much higher bodily injury and liability rates on your car insurance policy if you live in Texas.

This means that even though you are paying much more for your insurance, you are getting quite a bit more for it.

In the end, you will be well protected should you need it, but it is a lot to figure out and be able to afford for many Texas residents.

 

6. Sports Teams

 

Both Colorado and Texas have some great sports teams, but you will have to consider which sports you like to follow the most.

The state of Texas has the Rangers, Astros, Cowboys, and Texans.

In Colorado, you will have the Rockies and the Broncos.

For true football fans, moving to a state that has two teams can be a great experience.

The number of sports teams you have in your state should not be the only reason you move there, of course, but it can certainly help you decide if this is the place you want to remain living.

When it comes to basketball, Texas has the Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, and San Antonio Spurs while Colorado only has the Denver Nuggets.

Having three teams makes Texas an excellent place for those who love basketball.

The fact that Texas is so big certainly helps add to the total number of teams that will call Texas their home.

Even though you may not consider Texas and Colorado to be big sports states, they really are.

You will have no trouble finding a hometown team in either Colorado or Texas.

 

7. Careers And Salary

 

Chances are one of the reasons that you are considering a move to the Texas or Colorado area is a career change or promotion.

Many people decide to move because they will be getting a chance to advance their career in some way.

One of the best things about Colorado and Texas is that the job market is strong in both states.

Interestingly, the unemployment rates are about the same in both places, but the average salary in Texas is a bit higher than it is in Colorado.

As you can probably tell from this information, the fact that Texas has a lower cost of living but a higher salary shows why so many people like to live there.

When you can make more money, and then, in addition, your money goes further, life becomes quite a bit easier.

The differences in average salary are not all that much, but it is enough that you will want to consider this when you are negotiating the terms of your new job.

If you like having some extra money to spend after all the bills are paid, chances are Texas will be a better fit for you.

 

8. Politics

 

With the current state of our government and the economy, it is always essential to consider politics and government when you plan a move.

It is impossible to categorize all the people of a state into one category of either Democrat or Republican, but as a whole, Texas and Colorado are very different.

Colorado is typically a state that will be more Democratic, whereas Texas is almost always a more Republican state.

Of course, this will matter the most in an electoral college vote and may not impact your everyday life quite as much as you would think.

Certain communities and areas in Colorado and Texas are known for being more Democratic or more Republican.

If this is something that matters to you, make sure to do a bit of research before deciding to pull the trigger on your move.

Overall, it is difficult to plan a move based explicitly on politics as these things can change quite quickly.

 

9. Future Of The State

 

It’s easy to analyze the history of a state and what we know about how it has traditionally worked for homeowners and residents.

However, predicting the future of where a state will go is also important to consider.

Even though both Texas and Colorado are experiencing growth, the growth will lead to different paths in the future.

For instance, the big cities in Texas, like Austin and Houston, are growing at a very rapid pace.

However, some of the more rural areas are not nearly as busy.

People from northern states are finding that Texas is a better place to enjoy winter, and they are moving to this state at a fast pace.

With the strong job market and impressive cost of living benefits, this will likely continue for quite some time.

In addition, people who are living in New York are going to love the cost of living in Texas, and it could be enough motivation to move them across the country.

Those who are moving to Colorado are typically looking for a bit more of a laid-back lifestyle.

There is no questioning the fact that Colorado is a place for people who love to spend time outdoors and appreciate all that the mountains have to offer.

It’s hard to meet people in Colorado who don’t participate in some type of outdoor activity, and that makes the people as a whole relatively healthy.

In the end, you will continue to see the state of Colorado develop in this way and continue to attract more and more adventurous people that really love all that this beautiful state has to offer.

 

Colorado Vs. Texas (Which Is Better?)

 

Now that we have given you some essential information about the differences between Colorado and Texas, you may wonder which one is better.

When it comes to the climate and the weather, the two states are similar enough to have no clear winner.

In addition, the same applies when you look at the salary and the opportunities for jobs.

Both states have some strong benefits for the working force that moves to their area.

Of course, there are differences in cost of living and outdoor activities or access to open land.

However, in the end, the differences between Colorado and Texas are not extreme enough for one to really stand out as the overall best.

Each of these states could be a good fit for your needs as long as you are aware of what you need and interested in the specific details that each of these states has to offer.

We recommend that you write down a list of things that are most important to you about an area where you will want to live or visit.

If you find that the majority of your boxes are checked by one state or the other, then this will be the spot that makes the most sense for you to live in.

 

Conclusion

We hope that you now have a better idea as to the differences between the state of Texas and Colorado.

These are both excellent areas of the country, and many more people are moving to each of these areas as opposed to moving away from the areas.

We are seeing that many baby boomers are moving to the Texas area because of the great weather throughout the year.

In addition, we are seeing large numbers of young people moving to the Colorado area to be able to enjoy the outdoor life mixed with laid-back people and a focus on the quality of life.

Regardless of what your reasons for moving are, you are lucky to have these two states to choose between.

No matter where you end up, you will likely find that there are more positives than negatives to the area.