Moving from Fort Collins, CO to Detroit, MI
It is 1267 mi between Fort Collins and Detroit β roughly 22h 33m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 7 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1267 mi Β· 22h 33m by car Β· MI β IN β IL β IA β NE β WY β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | MI β IN β IL β IA β NE β WY β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 80 EXPRESS, I 94 |
| Major cities en route | Warren, Sterling Heights, Dearborn, Ann Arbor, South Bend |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fort Collins | Detroit | 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 |
Overall price level is comparable β 101.128 vs 100.298 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 0.8% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $563,815 to $75,358 moving to Detroit.
YoY change: Fort Collins -1.4%, Detroit -3.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fort Collins | Detroit |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 18Β°F | 19Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 84Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 51.4" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 15.9" | 34.9" |
Annual average temperatures in Fort Collins (50.7Β°F) and Detroit (50.3Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FT COLLINS, CO US, DEARBORN #2, MI US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fort Collins | Detroit |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,705 | 636,644 |
| Median household income | $83,598 | $39,575 |
| Median age | 30.6 | 35.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 34.3% | 10.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.4 | 2.51 |
Detroit households earn about 0.8% less than Fort Collins at the median β $83,598 β $39,575 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Detroit 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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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
- Lake-effect snow bands across the western Upper Peninsula can require chains on US-2.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- 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
When is the best time to move from Fort Collins to Detroit?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1267 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Fort Collins vs Detroit?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $39,575 in Detroit vs $83,598 in Fort Collins β a 52.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Detroit compare to Fort Collins?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,950 in the Detroit 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.
Is Detroit more expensive than Fort Collins?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Detroit 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.
How much do homes cost in Detroit compared to Fort Collins?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $75,358 in Detroit vs $563,815 in Fort Collins β a 86.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Detroit, MI from Fort Collins, CO?
The driving distance is 1267 mi and the route typically takes 22h 33m via I 80 and I 80 EXPRESS. 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 Β· Detroit, MI.