Moving from Elgin, IL to Fort Collins, CO
A move from Elgin, IL to Fort Collins, CO covers 977 mi and around 17h 21m of driving through 5 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
977 mi · 17h 21m by car · CO → WY → NE → IA → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | CO → WY → NE → IA → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 88, IL 110 |
| Major cities en route | Greeley, Lincoln, Omaha, Des Moines, Cedar Rapids |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Elgin | 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 |
Overall cost of living in Fort Collins and Elgin is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Fort Collins is 2.4% above Elgin — $329,682 vs $563,815 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Elgin +3.2%, Fort Collins -1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Elgin | Fort Collins |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 49°F | 51°F |
| January avg low | 14°F | 18°F |
| July avg high | 84°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 32.1" | 51.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 39.9" | 15.9" |
Annual average temperatures in Elgin (49.0°F) and Fort Collins (50.7°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Fort Collins averages 51.4 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ELGIN, IL US, FT COLLINS, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Elgin | Fort Collins |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 169,705 |
| Median household income | $88,316 | $83,598 |
| Median age | 36.3 | 30.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.9% | 34.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.94 | 2.4 |
Median household income in Fort Collins is 2.4% below Elgin ($88,316 → $83,598, ACS 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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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 — check CDOT alerts before departure.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — check WYDOT 511 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 — 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
How far is Fort Collins, CO from Elgin, IL?
The driving distance is 977 mi and the route typically takes 17h 21m via I 80 and I 88. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Fort Collins compared to Elgin?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $563,815 in Fort Collins vs $329,682 in Elgin — a 71.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Elgin vs Fort Collins?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $83,598 in Fort Collins vs $88,316 in Elgin — a 5.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Fort Collins more expensive than Elgin?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fort Collins is 2.4% lower than Elgin (101.128 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Fort Collins compare to Elgin?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,820 in the Fort Collins MSA vs $49,790 in the Elgin 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.
What is the climate difference between Elgin and Fort Collins?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.7°F in Fort Collins vs 49.0°F in Elgin (1.7°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 51.4 in vs 32.1 in. Annual precipitation: 15.9 in vs 39.9 in.
When is the best time to move from Elgin to Fort Collins?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 977 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Elgin.
City profiles: Elgin, IL · Fort Collins, CO.