Moving from Fort Collins, CO to Dearborn, MI
Relocating 1264 mi from Fort Collins to Dearborn is a 22h 28m 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.
1264 mi · 22h 28m by car · CO → WY → NE → IA → IL → IN → MI
Distance & route
| Route through | CO → WY → NE → IA → IL → IN → MI |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 94, I 25 |
| 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 | Dearborn | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 101.128 | 100.298 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.156 | 106.988 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.052 | 98.817 | 100.0 |
| Services | 120.592 | 94.69 | 100.0 |
Fort Collins and Dearborn sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $563,815 in Fort Collins to $245,068 in Dearborn, a 0.8% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Fort Collins -1.4%, Dearborn +4.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Fort Collins | Dearborn |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 18°F | 18°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 51.4" | 30.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 15.9" | 35.1" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 50.7°F vs 49.5°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Dearborn sees 30.8 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: FT COLLINS, CO US, DEARBORN, MI US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fort Collins | Dearborn |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,705 | 107,846 |
| Median household income | $83,598 | $65,192 |
| Median age | 30.6 | 32.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 34.3% | 20.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.4 | 2.97 |
Expect median household income to fall 0.8% — $83,598 → $65,192 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Dearborn MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 224,810 | $45,600 |
| Production Occupations | 186,670 | $44,740 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 165,670 | $40,090 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 160,290 | $36,830 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 153,090 | $30,480 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and Michigan
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Michigan'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.
- Lake-effect snow bands across the western Upper Peninsula can require chains on US-2.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Dearborn averages 30.8 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 Michigan after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Fort Collins vs Dearborn?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,192 in Dearborn vs $83,598 in Fort Collins — a 22.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Dearborn compare to Fort Collins?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,950 in the Dearborn MSA vs $50,820 in the Fort Collins MSA, on total employment of 1,900,180 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 Dearborn?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 49.5°F in Dearborn vs 50.7°F in Fort Collins (1.2°F colder). Annual snowfall: 30.8 in vs 51.4 in. Annual precipitation: 35.1 in vs 15.9 in.
How much do homes cost in Dearborn compared to Fort Collins?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $245,068 in Dearborn vs $563,815 in Fort Collins — a 56.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Dearborn more expensive than Fort Collins?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Dearborn is 0.8% lower than Fort Collins (100.298 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 Dearborn?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1264 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Dearborn, MI from Fort Collins, CO?
The driving distance is 1264 mi and the route typically takes 22h 28m via I 80 and I 94. The trip crosses 7 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 · Dearborn, MI.