Moving from Centennial, CO to Fort Collins, CO
Relocating between Centennial, CO and Fort Collins, CO is a 75 mi drive β 1h 31m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
75 mi Β· 1h 31m by car Β· CO
Distance & route
| Route through | CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 25, CO 88, CR 42 |
| Major cities en route | Greeley, Boulder, Thornton, Westminster, Arvada |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Centennial | Fort Collins | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 101.128 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 82.156 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 96.052 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 120.592 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 105.782 vs 101.128 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect around 4.4% lower home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Centennial -2.8%, Fort Collins -1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Centennial | Fort Collins |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 18Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 51.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 15.0" | 15.9" |
Annual average temperatures in Centennial (50.2Β°F) and Fort Collins (50.7Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Fort Collins averages 51.4 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DENVER CENTENNIAL AP, CO US, FT COLLINS, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Centennial | Fort Collins |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,386 | 169,705 |
| Median household income | $128,167 | $83,598 |
| Median age | 41.8 | 30.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37% | 34.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.59 | 2.4 |
Expect median household income to fall 4.4% β $128,167 β $83,598 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Fort Collins MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 19,130 | $46,140 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 19,060 | $39,090 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 17,830 | $35,050 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 12,630 | $79,180 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 12,170 | $84,720 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% 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
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Fort Collins averages 51.4 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- 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.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Fort Collins compared to Centennial?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $563,815 in Fort Collins vs $649,086 in Centennial β a 13.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Centennial vs Fort Collins?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $83,598 in Fort Collins vs $128,167 in Centennial β a 34.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Fort Collins compare to Centennial?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,820 in the Fort Collins MSA vs $58,490 in the Centennial MSA, on total employment of 173,230 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Centennial to Fort Collins?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 75 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Fort Collins, CO from Centennial, CO?
The driving distance is 75 mi and the route typically takes 1h 31m via I 25 and CO 88. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Fort Collins more expensive than Centennial?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fort Collins is 4.4% lower than Centennial (101.128 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Centennial.
City profiles: Centennial, CO Β· Fort Collins, CO.