Moving from Fort Collins, CO to Birmingham, AL
Relocating 1379 mi from Fort Collins to Birmingham is a 23h 51m drive through 7 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1379 mi · 23h 51m by car · AL → MS → TN → AR → OK → KS → CO
Distance & route
| Route through | AL → MS → TN → AR → OK → KS → CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, US 40, I 40 |
| Major cities en route | Memphis, Little Rock, Broken Arrow, Tulsa, Wichita |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fort Collins | Birmingham | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 101.128 | 91.644 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.156 | 83.803 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.052 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 120.592 | 71.851 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 9.4% moving from Fort Collins to Birmingham — meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $563,815 in Fort Collins to $135,870 in Birmingham, a 9.4% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Fort Collins -1.4%, Birmingham -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Fort Collins | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51°F | 64°F |
| January avg low | 18°F | 35°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 51.4" | 1.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 15.9" | 56.6" |
Expect 13.2°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Expect 1.4 in of snow annually at the destination — manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: FT COLLINS, CO US, BIRMINGHAM AP, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fort Collins | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,705 | 199,322 |
| Median household income | $83,598 | $44,376 |
| Median age | 30.6 | 35.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 34.3% | 18.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.4 | 2.25 |
Expect median household income to fall 9.4% — $83,598 → $44,376 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Birmingham MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 63,490 | $39,630 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 51,190 | $38,000 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 51,120 | $34,760 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 41,990 | $26,920 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 41,870 | $64,700 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and Alabama
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Alabama'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
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- 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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Birmingham average 91°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Birmingham averages 56.6 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (13.2°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Hurricane season runs June through November on the Gulf Coast.
- 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 Alabama after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Birmingham, AL from Fort Collins, CO?
The driving distance is 1379 mi and the route typically takes 23h 51m via I 70 and US 40. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Birmingham compare to Fort Collins?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,830 in the Birmingham MSA vs $50,820 in the Fort Collins MSA, on total employment of 509,200 and 173,230 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Fort Collins and Birmingham?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 63.9°F in Birmingham vs 50.7°F in Fort Collins (13.2°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 1.4 in vs 51.4 in. Annual precipitation: 56.6 in vs 15.9 in.
How does household income compare in Fort Collins vs Birmingham?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $44,376 in Birmingham vs $83,598 in Fort Collins — a 46.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Birmingham compared to Fort Collins?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,870 in Birmingham vs $563,815 in Fort Collins — a 75.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Birmingham more expensive than Fort Collins?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Birmingham is 9.4% lower than Fort Collins (91.644 vs 101.128, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Fort Collins to Birmingham?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1379 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 Fort Collins.
City profiles: Fort Collins, CO · Birmingham, AL.