Are you tired of city life in Chicago? Want to go hiking or skiing in the Rockies during the day and hit a lively social night scene? Moving to Denver from Chicago might just be the best way out.
The capital of Colorado provides you the best of both worlds: the convenience & amenities of a big metropolitan area, together with a relaxed lifestyle surrounded by beautiful nature.
Definitely, Denver is a city that offers its residents a lot. It is by far different from Chicago in so many ways. But yet, there are a lot of reasons you will like living in Denver.
Leaving Chicago for Denver is an amazing move. But before you relocate out of Illinois for the Centennial State, read this guide on what to expect in the city and how to make your long-distance move a hassle-free experience.
Denver has some amazing weather, which includes a nice change of season. While the winters in Denver can be cold and the city sure experiences its share of snow, it won’t be so different than those extremely cold winters in Chicago. It is also helpful that the cold winters are followed by amazing spring weather and lots of warmth in the summer.
Even though temperatures in the summer can be warm, the low humidity provides cool and comfortable nights in Denver. You also will enjoy more than 300 days of sunshine per year, which makes enjoying the great outdoors easy.
Denver boasts a thriving economy and it has experienced huge growth in past years. As reported by the US. News, the state of Colorado ranks first among the economies of the top states. If you are in the tech, aerospace, cannabis, or education industry, you will find numerous opportunities here. And with 17 million visitors every year, tourism is one other great cause of employment growth and economic prosperity in Denver.
At the early start of 2020. Denver’s unemployment rate was just 3% while the national average was 3.9%, and future employment growth of a huge 45% over the next 10 years. When you compare Chicago, its unemployment rate is 4.4% and a projected job increase of just 25.7%.
Referred to as the Mile High City, Denver has some of the most amazing scenery in the country. Located at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, locals enjoy a backdrop of huge mountain views behind the great skyline of the city. There are also some incredible state and national parks that can be found right outside the city which offer convenient access to nature and breathtaking views. These parks include Great Sand Dunes National Park, Red Rocks Park, Rocky Mountain National Park, Mesa Verde National Park, Cherry Creek State Park, and Gunnison National park.
Yes, with huge combination of city amenities together with beautiful natural wonders, what is the cost of all these Om Mile-High City? Let us first check the cost of living in Denver.
The cost of living index is presently 128.7 (above the national average of 100). Chicago has a lower cost of living index of 107. Real estate price in Denver is the major force behind the higher costs of living.
The average home list price in Denver right now is $464,900 (with an average rent price at $2,150). Chicago is on the cheaper side, with an average list price of $329,000 (together with a highly reasonable average rent price of $1,761). Denver is highly expensive. But if you consider the benefits, it is a worthwhile move.
Denver is the perfect location for adventure seekers searching for exploration of the amazing mountain tops and valleys. But you don’t have to be an adrenaline addict or great skier before you enjoy the outdoor in Colorado. There are many day trips perfect for the whole family all through the year.
Craft beer lovers will feel like in paradise when they get to Denver. There are lots of craft breweries in the city of Denver than anywhere else in the United States and the Mile High City brews more beers every day than any other U.S city. Some of the top brands today are from this region which includes Falling Rock, Breckenridge Brewer, Blue Moon, and Renegade Brewing.
Together with its beer, Denver also has an amazing coffee scene that can stand against Seattle. The city is also famous as one of the best cities for exotic neighborhood restaurants and bars. Many award-winning chefs and restauranteurs are from Denver, and the city has become one of the leading dining spots in the nation.
Home to almost 160 public schools and 220 private schools, Denver ranks high in education. The College Readiness Index by the US News reported that Denver scores 8.2 out of 10. At least 23 high schools also rank one of the best in the country. When looking into the most educated cities in the country, Denver ranked 14th on a list of 20. The city scores 14 in educational attainment, while it sits at position 76 in the quality education & attainment gap.
Chicago appears on many spots down the list at number 30. Do you want to enroll in post-secondary educational options? Top universities & colleges in the Denver metro area are the University of Denver (ranks 97 in the country), Regis University (ranks 202), and the University of Colorado, Denver (ranks 254).
Let us discuss taxation now. Denver’s state sales tax is 2.9% with a local sales tax of 5.41%, which sum up to a complete tax rate of 8.31%. State top income tax rate equals 4.63%. Currently, Chicago’s overall sales tax is high at 10.25% (6.25% state and 4% local) and cheap totals top income tax of 4.95%. You can now see that sales and income taxes are on the lower side in Denver.
As regards property taxes, the City of Denver has a media rate of 0.515% or $2,060 per annum (based on a calculated home value of $400,000). Chicago, in comparison, is much steep at a median property tax rate of 2.117% (Cook County), or a huge $8,468 yearly on a home of similar value.
Denver, Colorado, is one of the best locations in the country you can choose to call home. With enough sunshine, the Rocky Mountain in proximity, and the South Platte River in the place, you will surely have a great time. Apart from Chicago, Denver is also not much of a culturally diverse city.
Denver's population is mostly Caucasian. This city's population is around 716,000, which is below Chicago’s population of 2.7 million. If you enjoy the possibility of living in a calm city than vibrant Chicago, you will enjoy Denver. In this situation, relocating from Chicago to Denver is a great decision.
Are you tired of being held in traffic? If you are, here is good news for you. Moving to Denver from Chicago implies that you will spend less time driving. Recent studies showed that Denver drivers spend 83 hours in traffic jams per annum. Else, Chicago drivers spend 138 hours. It implies that you will have more time to do what you enjoy. Lastly, you will not spend much time commuting.
Below are some of the leading top places in Mile High City.
Moving can be costly so it is highly important to plan a budget so you can remain on track. That is why iMoving gives upfront pricing and personalized relocation packages so you can easily get a moving package that matches your budget.
The median cost to relocate from Chicago to Denver with movers is $2,832.86. It is highly important to remember, however, that a lot of factors build up the cost of a move, such as.
iMoving knows the importance of staying on budget and that is why we provide an easy, and accurate tool for getting quotes above.
A long distance requires lot of planning and organization to make sure everything is properly executed immediately from the beginning. That is why we recommend enlisting the assistance of a professional moving company when you are relocating from one state to another.
iMoving has more than 85 years of moving experience and our professional local movers have the right knowledge and equipment to take care of every part of your move from packing and loading to full shipping and unpacking.
Moving can stress you a lot, but when you have the right help, your move can be made smooth and less stressful. iMoving is here to eradicate the stress out of your move so you can begin to enjoy your new Denver home.
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