Moving to Denver has been a steady trend for years. Even though Colorado as a whole saw a net loss in 2025, Denver gained 237,197 new residents, which is almost 19% of the state’s total movement. You can explore the statewide trends in our 2025 Colorado Migration Report, which breaks down where people are moving across the entire state.
Based on our 2025 data, 171 people move to Denver every day from outside the metro area. That number climbs even higher when you count people moving from one Denver neighborhood to another.
Denver continues to be the top metro destination in Colorado. More people move into the city than anywhere else in the state, but it also sees the most people leaving. This means the area is in a constant cycle of turnover, growth, and renewal. For anyone planning a move to Denver, this clear, data-backed report can help you understand where people are coming from, where they are going, and what this movement means for housing, jobs, and daily life.
Denver Moving Statistics 2025: Inbound Migration
Denver continues to draw more movers than any other metropolitan area in Colorado, and the numbers tell a pretty striking story. Whether people arrive from across the state or out of state, the city remains the top choice for people who are starting fresh. If you are planning your own relocation, our Moving to Denver guide covers neighborhoods, weather, and practical tips to help you get settled. We also see steady movement from the East Coast, especially people moving from Boston to Denver, often drawn by outdoor access and growing industries.
To understand Denver’s growth, it helps to look at both streams of movement. One group includes people coming from outside the metro area, while the other includes people already in Denver who are simply changing neighborhoods. When you put both together, you get a close look at how active and fast-paced the moving patterns really are. If you are still deciding where to land, our Denver Relocation Guide walks through schools, commute options, and neighborhood personalities.
How Many People Move to Denver?
Denver is the top destination in Colorado for movers. Colorado Springs sits in the second spot, and Fort Collins is third. That alone shows how strong Denver’s draw is for both local and incoming residents.
According to our data, 62,388 people move to Denver each year from outside the metropolitan area. That comes out to 5,199 each month, or 171 every single day. These are people arriving from other Colorado cities, other states, and sometimes even other regions of the country. That includes many long-distance routes, such as people moving from Chicago to Denver, who often choose the city for job access and lifestyle balance.
“Census data shows Metro Denver gained 56,535 people through international migration between 2020 and 2024, while only 14,205 left during the same period.”
Movement inside the city is even higher. 174,809 people move from one part of Denver to another each year. That is 14,567 per month, or 479 per day. This means that even longtime residents are shifting around, often in search of new jobs, better housing, or neighborhoods that fit their lifestyle as they move through different stages of life. And if you are headed somewhere new, you might want to check out our guide on parking permits for moving in Denver that breaks down the rules for moving trucks.
To put it simply, almost a quarter of a million moves happen in or into Denver each year. This constant churn creates lively neighborhoods, a competitive housing market, and a steady demand for local services. It also shows why the city feels like it is always in motion. If you are budgeting for an upcoming move, our guide to the cost of moving in Denver can help you understand what to expect across different moving options.
| Number of Moves from Outside Denver | |
| People moving to Denver each year | 62,388 |
| People moving to Denver each month | 5,199 |
| People moving to Denver each day | 171 |
Top Colorado Cities People are Leaving for Denver
While people arrive from all over the country, a big share of Denver’s inbound moves start within Colorado. Certain cities send more residents to Denver than others, and the patterns stay pretty consistent year after year.
Our data shows that the top Colorado cities sending people to Denver include:
- Colorado Springs
- Fort Collins Loveland
- Boulder
- Greeley
- Grand Junction
Each of these metro areas has its own appeal, but many people eventually move toward Denver for work opportunities, access to transit, universities, and the city’s broader mix of neighborhoods. The movement between these cities and Denver remains strong each year, helping explain why Denver remains the top destination in the state.
Denver Moving Statistics 2025: Outbound Migration
Denver brings in a considerable number of newcomers each year, but plenty of people head out of the city too. In fact, Denver is the number one metropolitan area in Colorado that people leave, which is not unusual for a large, fast-changing city. People move for new jobs, different housing prices, lifestyle shifts, or the simple pull of being closer to family.
How Many People Move Away from Denver?
According to our 2025 data, 60,800 people leave Denver each year. That comes out to 5,067 people each month, or 167 each day.
Most people who leave Denver are not heading to nearby cities. Each year, about 44,647 residents relocate to another state, while 16,153 move somewhere else within Colorado. That kind of gap usually points to bigger life decisions at play. People often leave the state for a new job, a lower cost of living, or the pull of being closer to the people who matter most.
Those who stay inside Colorado tend to look for communities with more space or less pressure on their wallets. Taken together, these numbers show Denver as a place full of movement, where many residents are open to making meaningful changes in their lives.
Top Colorado Cities People Go to When They Leave Denver
When Denver residents move to another part of the state, they tend to choose a small group of familiar metro areas. These places offer different lifestyles but still keep the mountains and Denver connections within reach.
Based on the current outbound data, the top Colorado destinations for people leaving Denver include:
- Colorado Springs: 3,159 moves
- Fort Collins-Loveland: 1,859 moves
- Boulder: 3,808 moves
- Greeley: 3,449 moves
- Grand Junction: 452 moves
Each of these cities has its own appeal. Colorado Springs offers more space and family-friendly neighborhoods, while Fort Collins has a strong university presence and a comfortable pace. Boulder attracts residents who want easy access to trails and open space, and Greeley and Grand Junction tend to draw people looking for lower housing costs and quieter communities.
The Impacts and Consequences of Migration to Denver
Migration shapes almost every corner of Denver, from housing prices to job growth to the feel of local neighborhoods. When thousands of people move into, out of, and around the city each year, the ripple effects show up in daily life. Some of those changes can be exciting or pleasant, while others create strain. Together, they tell a clear story of a city adjusting to a new population rhythm after a decade of rapid growth.
Housing and Real Estate
Housing is where migration shows its biggest impact. When more people enter a city than leave, even small shifts in supply can push prices around.
Based on the Zillow data provided, Denver’s median home value was $541,498 in June 2025, compared to $560,968 in January 2025 and $564,826 in June 2024. While the most recent numbers show slight cooling, prices are still high compared to the past decade.
Migration contributes to that pressure. When more than 62,000 people arrive from outside the metro area each year and almost 175,000 move within Denver, demand stays strong. Newcomers often compete for the same neighborhoods that long-term residents prefer, which can keep rents high even when home values dip.
Local reporting points to another factor. Fewer building permits are being issued, which slows the addition of new housing. CPR News notes that declining construction signals softer demand and tighter supply, which can make it harder for the city to keep pace with population shifts.
At the same time, some suburbs and nearby cities continue to build new homes at a faster clip. Places like Parker, Commerce City, and Erie often draw movers who want more space for their money while still staying connected to Denver. This creates a dynamic where the broader region absorbs some of the growth that Denver itself struggles to house.
Job Market
Migration also plays a huge role in the Denver area job market. People move to Denver for work due to its current market, which in turn encourages more companies to move to Denver because they know they can attract talent.
The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis shows that median household income in Denver County grew from $75,355 in 2020 to $93,572 in 2023. Colorado as a whole climbed from $83,780 in 2020 to $96,640 in 2023. Wages rising this quickly often signal a competitive job market and a population that continues to bring in skilled workers.
But recent research also shows a shift. According to a 2025 report from the Common Sense Institute, job growth in Colorado is slowing to around 1.2% for the year, and Denver has seen a significant drop in the number of people moving in compared to a decade ago.
“Each year, about 44,647 residents relocate to another state, while 16,153 move somewhere else within Colorado.”
Fewer migrants means fewer new workers, which creates challenges for employers. Colorado’s growing population of retirees also contributes to a smaller labor pool. With more adults aging out of the workforce and fewer young people arriving, some industries are already feeling the squeeze.
Although it’s been slowing down in recent years, remote work adds another layer. Many workers who no longer need to be downtown are moving to more affordable areas in the region, or even out of state. This shift changes commuting patterns and can influence where companies choose to open new offices or expand existing ones.
Social and Cultural Impact
Migration also changes the cultural feel of Denver. When thousands of people move into the city each year, they bring new traditions, languages, food, and community habits. That mix shows up in Denver’s restaurants, festivals, small businesses, and neighborhood identities.
Migration Trends
A major driver in the past few years has been international migration. According to a November 2025 Denver Post analysis, international arrivals accounted for 57% of Colorado’s population gains last year. The report also noted that Metro Denver received more than 50,000 international migrants between 2023 and 2025, ranking among the highest per capita in the country.
Axios Denver reported similar findings. Census data shows Metro Denver gained 56,535 people through international migration between 2020 and 2024, while only 14,205 left during the same period. The city has welcomed more newcomers per capita than any other major U.S. metro since 2022.
How Migration Is Changing the City
This wave helped energize neighborhoods, boost small businesses, and bring new cultural events to the area. But it also created challenges, including the need for more language services, expanded community resources, and support for families settling into the region for the first time.
Looking ahead, state demographers warn that international migration is beginning to slow. If that trend continues, Colorado could see lower population growth in the next decade.
That shift could reduce strain on certain systems, such as housing and schools, but it could also limit the energy, creativity, and workforce growth that come with new arrivals.
Final Thoughts
Denver continues to be one of the most active moving hubs in Colorado, with thousands of people arriving, leaving, and shifting between neighborhoods every year. The numbers show real challenges in housing, jobs, and long-term growth, but they also highlight a city that adapts quickly.
Whether people come for opportunity, lifestyle, or community, Denver remains a place that draws new energy and keeps reinventing itself. As the region plans for the years ahead, thoughtful growth and strong local support can help Denver stay vibrant and welcoming for everyone who calls it home.
Methodology
To examine North Carolina’s migration patterns, we analyzed PGM’s proprietary database of 18,000,000 national moves recorded between June 2024 and May 2025. Each move in this dataset represents an actual relocation, providing a uniquely current perspective on mobility trends.
Our analysis focused on:
- Origins and destinations of moves,
- Intrastate versus interstate flows, and
- Demographic characteristics of movers.
Unlike many studies that rely on outdated U.S. Census Bureau releases or modeled estimates from relocation calculators, this dataset reflects real moves as they occurred.
As such, it represents one of the most up-to-date and reliable sources of migration data available in the United States in 2025.
In Partnership With PGM
This migration report used in-depth consumer insights from data provider PGM, part of the Porch Group of companies. PGM’s robust audience data helps businesses reach customers strategically.