Moving from Fort Collins, CO to Brockton, MA
Cross-country relocations like Fort Collins, CO → Brockton, MA cover 1996 mi and about 36h 26m of driving through 11 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1996 mi · 36h 26m by car · CO → WY → NE → IA → IL → IN → OH → PA → NY → CT → MA
Distance & route
| Route through | CO → WY → NE → IA → IL → IN → OH → PA → NY → CT → MA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 90, I 84 |
| 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
| Fort Collins | Brockton | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 101.128 | 108.266 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.156 | 148.768 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.052 | 99.651 | 100.0 |
| Services | 120.592 | 148.424 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP moves from 101.128 in Fort Collins to 108.266 in Brockton, a 7.1% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Moderate housing drop: Brockton ZHVI at $503,833 is 7.1% below Fort Collins at $563,815.
YoY change: Fort Collins -1.4%, Brockton +1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Fort Collins | Brockton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51°F | 51°F |
| January avg low | 18°F | 21°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 51.4" | 34.3" |
| Annual precipitation | 15.9" | 50.2" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Heavy-snow city: expect 34.3 in of snowfall annually at Brockton.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: FT COLLINS, CO US, BROCKTON, MA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fort Collins | Brockton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,705 | 105,080 |
| Median household income | $83,598 | $77,089 |
| Median age | 30.6 | 36.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 34.3% | 14.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.4 | 2.95 |
Income steps down 7.1%: $83,598 in Fort Collins vs $77,089 in Brockton.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and Massachusetts
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Massachusetts'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.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- Lake-effect off Lake Ontario can shut down I-81 and I-90 for hours in winter — check 511NY.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Brockton averages 34.3 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Pack rain gear on top: Brockton averages 50.2 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- 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 Massachusetts after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Brockton, MA from Fort Collins, CO?
The driving distance is 1996 mi and the route typically takes 36h 26m via I 80 and I 90. The trip crosses 11 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Fort Collins vs Brockton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $77,089 in Brockton vs $83,598 in Fort Collins — a 7.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Brockton compared to Fort Collins?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $503,833 in Brockton vs $563,815 in Fort Collins — a 10.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Fort Collins to Brockton?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1996 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Brockton more expensive than Fort Collins?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Brockton is 7.1% higher than Fort Collins (108.266 vs 101.128, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Fort Collins and Brockton?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 51.4°F in Brockton vs 50.7°F in Fort Collins (0.7°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 34.3 in vs 51.4 in. Annual precipitation: 50.2 in vs 15.9 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fort Collins.
City profiles: Fort Collins, CO · Brockton, MA.