Moving from Fort Collins, CO to Fremont, CA
It is 1209 mi between Fort Collins and Fremont — roughly 20h 53m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 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.
1209 mi · 20h 53m by car · CA → NV → UT → WY → CO
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → NV → UT → WY → CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, US 287, I 680 |
| Major cities en route | San Jose, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, San Mateo, Hayward |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fort Collins | Fremont | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 101.128 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.156 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.052 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 120.592 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 14.3% above Fort Collins — 101.128 → 115.613 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
14.3% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Fort Collins -1.4%, Fremont -4.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Fort Collins | Fremont |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51°F | 60°F |
| January avg low | 18°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 77°F |
| Annual snowfall | 51.4" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 15.9" | 14.4" |
Annual temperature rises 9.2°F moving to Fremont per NOAA normals.
Effectively snow-free year in Fremont — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: FT COLLINS, CO US, NEWARK, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fort Collins | Fremont |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,705 | 228,518 |
| Median household income | $83,598 | $176,350 |
| Median age | 30.6 | 38.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 34.3% | 32.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.4 | 2.97 |
Fremont households earn about 14.3% more than Fort Collins at the median — $83,598 → $176,350 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Fremont MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 244,380 | $59,630 |
| Management Occupations | 237,070 | $171,350 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 211,250 | $104,950 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 194,040 | $39,200 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 183,930 | $49,390 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter 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 — 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 — check CDOT alerts before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Dry climate: Fremont sees only 14.4 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October — register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Fremont more expensive than Fort Collins?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fremont is 14.3% higher than Fort Collins (115.613 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 Fremont?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $176,350 in Fremont vs $83,598 in Fort Collins — a 111.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Fremont, CA from Fort Collins, CO?
The driving distance is 1209 mi and the route typically takes 20h 53m via I 80 and US 287. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Fort Collins and Fremont?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 59.9°F in Fremont vs 50.7°F in Fort Collins (9.2°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 51.4 in. Annual precipitation: 14.4 in vs 15.9 in.
When is the best time to move from Fort Collins to Fremont?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1209 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Fremont compare to Fort Collins?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Fremont MSA vs $50,820 in the Fort Collins MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 173,230 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Fremont compared to Fort Collins?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,543,132 in Fremont vs $563,815 in Fort Collins — a 173.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fort Collins.
City profiles: Fort Collins, CO · Fremont, CA.