Moving from Fort Collins, CO to Mobile, AL
Relocating 1425 mi from Fort Collins to Mobile is a 26h 23m drive through 6 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1425 mi Β· 26h 23m by car Β· AL β MS β LA β TX β OK β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | AL β MS β LA β TX β OK β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 287, I 20, US 80 |
| Major cities en route | Jackson, Shreveport, Tyler, Mesquite, Dallas |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fort Collins | Mobile | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 101.128 | 88.098 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.156 | 84.185 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.052 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 120.592 | 60.116 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 12.9% moving from Fort Collins to Mobile β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $563,815 in Fort Collins to $194,564 in Mobile, a 12.9% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Fort Collins -1.4%, Mobile -2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fort Collins | Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 69Β°F |
| January avg low | 18Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 51.4" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 15.9" | 60.5" |
Annual average temperature jumps 18.4Β°F β 50.7Β°F in Fort Collins vs 69.1Β°F in Mobile, per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FT COLLINS, CO US, MOBILE DWTN AP, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fort Collins | Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,705 | 185,097 |
| Median household income | $83,598 | $51,090 |
| Median age | 30.6 | 37.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 34.3% | 20% |
| Avg household size | 2.4 | 2.39 |
Expect median household income to fall 12.9% β $83,598 β $51,090 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Mobile MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 20,320 | $36,270 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 19,630 | $37,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 16,350 | $31,060 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 14,680 | $23,720 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 12,550 | $64,370 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and Alabama
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Alabama'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 Mobile 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: Mobile averages 60.5 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (18.4Β°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 Alabama after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Mobile more expensive than Fort Collins?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Mobile is 12.9% lower than Fort Collins (88.098 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 Mobile?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,090 in Mobile vs $83,598 in Fort Collins β a 38.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Mobile compare to Fort Collins?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,660 in the Mobile MSA vs $50,820 in the Fort Collins MSA, on total employment of 169,730 and 173,230 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Mobile, AL from Fort Collins, CO?
The driving distance is 1425 mi and the route typically takes 26h 23m via US 287 and I 20. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Fort Collins to Mobile?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1425 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Mobile compared to Fort Collins?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $194,564 in Mobile vs $563,815 in Fort Collins β a 65.5% lower 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 Β· Mobile, AL.