Moving from Fort Collins, CO to Greeley, CO
It is a short 26 mi hop from Fort Collins, CO to Greeley, CO — roughly 40 min behind the wheel. Even at local distance, household costs and housing values can diverge more than the mileage suggests. Below you will find a direct comparison on BEA cost-of-living, Zillow home values, Census demographics, BLS wages, and NOAA climate.
26 mi · 40 min by car · CO
Distance & route
| Route through | CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 34, I 25 |
| Major cities en route | Boulder |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fort Collins | Greeley | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 101.128 | 100.176 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.156 | 81.997 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.052 | 96.052 | 100.0 |
| Services | 120.592 | 112.599 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 101.128 vs 100.176 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 0.9% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $563,815 to $420,464 moving to Greeley.
YoY change: Fort Collins -1.4%, Greeley -1.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Fort Collins | Greeley |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51°F | 52°F |
| January avg low | 18°F | 18°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 51.4" | 34.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 15.9" | 14.7" |
Annual average temperatures in Fort Collins (50.7°F) and Greeley (52.1°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Greeley averages 34.9 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: FT COLLINS, CO US, GREELEY UNC, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fort Collins | Greeley |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,705 | 109,421 |
| Median household income | $83,598 | $68,650 |
| Median age | 30.6 | 32.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 34.3% | 15.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.4 | 2.81 |
Households in Greeley earn about 0.9% less at the median — ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Greeley MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 11,370 | $46,100 |
| Construction and Extraction Occupations | 11,010 | $52,590 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 10,590 | $47,780 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 10,120 | $39,710 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 9,660 | $32,760 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Greeley averages 34.9 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Greeley average 92°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Greeley sees only 14.7 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Greeley compared to Fort Collins?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $420,464 in Greeley vs $563,815 in Fort Collins — a 25.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Greeley, CO from Fort Collins, CO?
The driving distance is 26 mi and the route typically takes 40 min via US 34 and I 25. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Fort Collins vs Greeley?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $68,650 in Greeley vs $83,598 in Fort Collins — a 17.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Greeley compare to Fort Collins?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,140 in the Greeley MSA vs $50,820 in the Fort Collins MSA, on total employment of 111,210 and 173,230 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Fort Collins to Greeley?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 26 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Greeley more expensive than Fort Collins?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Greeley is 0.9% lower than Fort Collins (100.176 vs 101.128, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Fort Collins and Greeley?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 52.1°F in Greeley vs 50.7°F in Fort Collins (1.4°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 34.9 in vs 51.4 in. Annual precipitation: 14.7 in vs 15.9 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fort Collins.
City profiles: Fort Collins, CO · Greeley, CO.