Moving from Chicago, IL to Fort Collins, CO
It is 1005 mi between Chicago and Fort Collins β roughly 17h 47m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1005 mi Β· 17h 47m by car Β· IL β IA β NE β WY β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | IL β IA β NE β WY β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 80 EXPRESS, IL 110 |
| Major cities en route | Naperville, Joliet, Aurora, Elgin, Rockford |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Chicago | Fort Collins | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 101.128 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 82.156 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 96.052 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 120.592 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
2.4% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Chicago +2.8%, Fort Collins -1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Chicago | Fort Collins |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 20Β°F | 18Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 51.4" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 15.9" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Heavy-snow city: expect 51.4 in of snowfall annually at Fort Collins.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CHICAGO NORTHERLY IS, IL US, FT COLLINS, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Chicago | Fort Collins |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 169,705 |
| Median household income | $75,134 | $83,598 |
| Median age | 35.7 | 30.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.9% | 34.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.4 |
Households in Fort Collins earn about 2.4% more at the median β ACS 5-year 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.
Moving between Illinois and Colorado
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Colorado'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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- 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.
- Register to vote in Colorado after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Fort Collins more expensive than Chicago?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fort Collins is 2.4% lower than Chicago (101.128 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Fort Collins compared to Chicago?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $563,815 in Fort Collins vs $317,283 in Chicago β a 77.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Chicago vs Fort Collins?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $83,598 in Fort Collins vs $75,134 in Chicago β a 11.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Fort Collins compare to Chicago?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,820 in the Fort Collins MSA vs $49,790 in the Chicago MSA, on total employment of 173,230 and 4,506,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Chicago 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 1005 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 Chicago, IL?
The driving distance is 1005 mi and the route typically takes 17h 47m via I 80 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Chicago.
City profiles: Chicago, IL Β· Fort Collins, CO.