Moving from Fort Collins, CO to Jackson, MS
It is 1268 mi between Fort Collins and Jackson β roughly 22h 27m 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.
1268 mi Β· 22h 27m by car Β· CO β KS β OK β AR β MS
Distance & route
| Route through | CO β KS β OK β AR β MS |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 40, US 65 |
| Major cities en route | Greeley, Westminster, Boulder, Lakewood, Arvada |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fort Collins | Jackson | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 101.128 | 89.048 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.156 | 78.137 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.052 | 96.219 | 100.0 |
| Services | 120.592 | 64.768 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 11.9% cheaper overall in Jackson than Fort Collins on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
11.9% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Fort Collins -1.4%, Jackson -1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fort Collins | Jackson |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 18Β°F | 38Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 51.4" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 15.9" | 51.3" |
Annual average temperature gap of 15.3Β°F β a meaningful climate change across the move.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FT COLLINS, CO US, JACKSON HAWKINS FLD, MS US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fort Collins | Jackson |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,705 | 149,827 |
| Median household income | $83,598 | $43,238 |
| Median age | 30.6 | 34.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 34.3% | 16.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.4 | 2.42 |
Jackson households earn about 11.9% less than Fort Collins at the median β $83,598 β $43,238 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Jackson MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 31,490 | $36,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 26,230 | $36,470 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 23,080 | $29,690 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 22,970 | $66,380 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 22,370 | $22,500 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and Mississippi
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Mississippi'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
- 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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Jackson average 92Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Jackson averages 51.3 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (15.3Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Hurricane season runs June through November on the Gulf Coast.
- 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 Mississippi after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Jackson compare to Fort Collins?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,540 in the Jackson MSA vs $50,820 in the Fort Collins MSA, on total employment of 252,860 and 173,230 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Jackson compared to Fort Collins?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $87,256 in Jackson vs $563,815 in Fort Collins β a 84.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Jackson, MS from Fort Collins, CO?
The driving distance is 1268 mi and the route typically takes 22h 27m via I 70 and I 40. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Jackson more expensive than Fort Collins?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Jackson is 11.9% lower than Fort Collins (89.048 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 Jackson?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $43,238 in Jackson vs $83,598 in Fort Collins β a 48.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Fort Collins to Jackson?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1268 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· Jackson, MS.