Moving from Fort Collins, CO to Little Rock, AR
Relocating 1017 mi from Fort Collins to Little Rock is a 17h 21m drive through 4 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1017 mi · 17h 21m by car · AR → OK → KS → CO
Distance & route
| Route through | AR → OK → KS → CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, US 40, I 40 |
| Major cities en route | Broken Arrow, Tulsa, Wichita, Aurora, Centennial |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fort Collins | Little Rock | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 101.128 | 89.364 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.156 | 74.635 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.052 | 93.577 | 100.0 |
| Services | 120.592 | 68.295 | 100.0 |
Expect about 11.6% lower overall cost of living — BEA RPP 2024 has Little Rock at 89.364 vs Fort Collins at 101.128.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 11.6% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $563,815 to $216,519 moving to Little Rock.
YoY change: Fort Collins -1.4%, Little Rock +2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Fort Collins | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51°F | 62°F |
| January avg low | 18°F | 31°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 51.4" | 3.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 15.9" | 50.4" |
Expect 11.0°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Little Rock averages 3.8 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: FT COLLINS, CO US, LITTLE ROCK AP ADAMS FLD, AR US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fort Collins | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,705 | 202,739 |
| Median household income | $83,598 | $60,583 |
| Median age | 30.6 | 36.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 34.3% | 25% |
| Avg household size | 2.4 | 2.33 |
Expect median household income to fall 11.6% — $83,598 → $60,583 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Little Rock MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 43,980 | $37,850 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 33,840 | $37,820 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 31,830 | $31,870 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 30,330 | $67,930 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 29,950 | $27,320 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and Arkansas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Arkansas'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
- 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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Little Rock average 92°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: Little Rock averages 50.4 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (11.0°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Tornado risk peaks April through May — identify a safe room on day one.
- 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 Arkansas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Little Rock compare to Fort Collins?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,100 in the Little Rock MSA vs $50,820 in the Fort Collins MSA, on total employment of 345,890 and 173,230 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Little Rock compared to Fort Collins?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $216,519 in Little Rock vs $563,815 in Fort Collins — a 61.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Little Rock, AR from Fort Collins, CO?
The driving distance is 1017 mi and the route typically takes 17h 21m via I 70 and US 40. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Fort Collins and Little Rock?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.7°F in Little Rock vs 50.7°F in Fort Collins (11.0°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 3.8 in vs 51.4 in. Annual precipitation: 50.4 in vs 15.9 in.
When is the best time to move from Fort Collins to Little Rock?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1017 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Little Rock more expensive than Fort Collins?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Little Rock is 11.6% lower than Fort Collins (89.364 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 Little Rock?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,583 in Little Rock vs $83,598 in Fort Collins — a 27.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fort Collins.
City profiles: Fort Collins, CO · Little Rock, AR.