Moving from Fort Collins, CO to Centennial, CO
It is a 75 mi drive, roughly 1h 31m, between Fort Collins, CO and Centennial, CO. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
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
| Fort Collins | Centennial | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 101.128 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.156 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.052 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 120.592 | 146.919 | 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
Housing comes in 4.6% above Fort Collins β $563,815 β $649,086 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Fort Collins -1.4%, Centennial -2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fort Collins | Centennial |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 18Β°F | 19Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 51.4" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 15.9" | 15.0" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FT COLLINS, CO US, DENVER CENTENNIAL AP, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fort Collins | Centennial |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,705 | 107,386 |
| Median household income | $83,598 | $128,167 |
| Median age | 30.6 | 41.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 34.3% | 37% |
| Avg household size | 2.4 | 2.59 |
Centennial households earn about 4.6% more than Fort Collins at the median β $83,598 β $128,167 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Centennial MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 173,910 | $49,000 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 172,890 | $48,280 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 164,250 | $84,370 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 140,150 | $36,010 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 129,510 | $45,350 |
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.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Fort Collins vs Centennial?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $128,167 in Centennial vs $83,598 in Fort Collins β a 53.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Centennial compared to Fort Collins?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $649,086 in Centennial vs $563,815 in Fort Collins β a 15.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Fort Collins to Centennial?
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 does the job market in Centennial compare to Fort Collins?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Centennial MSA vs $50,820 in the Fort Collins MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 173,230 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Centennial more expensive than Fort Collins?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Centennial is 4.6% higher than Fort Collins (105.782 vs 101.128, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Centennial, CO from Fort Collins, 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.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fort Collins.
City profiles: Fort Collins, CO Β· Centennial, CO.