Moving from Fort Collins, CO to Eugene, OR
A move from Fort Collins, CO to Eugene, OR covers 1228 mi and around 22h 8m of driving through 5 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
1228 mi Β· 22h 8m by car Β· OR β ID β UT β WY β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | OR β ID β UT β WY β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 84, I 80, US 189 |
| Major cities en route | Nampa, Meridian, Boise City, Salt Lake City, Greeley |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fort Collins | Eugene | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 101.128 | 101.568 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.156 | 102.531 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.052 | 105.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 120.592 | 98.35 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Fort Collins (101.128) and Eugene (101.568) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Moderate housing drop: Eugene ZHVI at $473,231 is 0.4% below Fort Collins at $563,815.
YoY change: Fort Collins -1.4%, Eugene -0.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fort Collins | Eugene |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 18Β°F | 35Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 84Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 51.4" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 15.9" | 40.8" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FT COLLINS, CO US, EUGENE MAHLON SWEET AP, OR US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fort Collins | Eugene |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,705 | 177,520 |
| Median household income | $83,598 | $63,836 |
| Median age | 30.6 | 35.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 34.3% | 23.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.4 | 2.33 |
Median household income in Eugene is 0.4% below Fort Collins ($83,598 vs $63,836, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Eugene MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 19,330 | $44,270 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 15,420 | $30,860 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 13,740 | $36,090 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 13,230 | $40,070 |
| Management Occupations | 10,540 | $93,090 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and Oregon
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Oregon'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
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- 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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Wildfire season peaks July through September east of the Cascades β register for county emergency alerts.
- 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 Oregon after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Eugene, OR from Fort Collins, CO?
The driving distance is 1228 mi and the route typically takes 22h 8m via I 84 and I 80. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Eugene compare to Fort Collins?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,620 in the Eugene MSA vs $50,820 in the Fort Collins MSA, on total employment of 155,990 and 173,230 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Eugene compared to Fort Collins?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $473,231 in Eugene vs $563,815 in Fort Collins β a 16.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Eugene more expensive than Fort Collins?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Eugene is 0.4% higher than Fort Collins (101.568 vs 101.128, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Fort Collins vs Eugene?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,836 in Eugene vs $83,598 in Fort Collins β a 23.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Fort Collins to Eugene?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1228 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β 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 Β· Eugene, OR.