Moving from Fort Collins, CO to Nampa, ID
The drive from Fort Collins, CO to Nampa, ID runs 771 mi — about 12h 54m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
771 mi · 12h 54m by car · CO → WY → UT → ID
Distance & route
| Route through | CO → WY → UT → ID |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 84, I 80, US 287 |
| Major cities en route | Greeley, Salt Lake City, Boise City, Meridian |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fort Collins | Nampa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 101.128 | 98.391 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.156 | 70.695 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.052 | 96.179 | 100.0 |
| Services | 120.592 | 105.58 | 100.0 |
Nampa and Fort Collins are close on the overall BEA RPP (101.128 vs 98.391); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Nampa typical home at $412,277 is 2.7% under Fort Collins at $563,815 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Fort Collins -1.4%, Nampa +0.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Fort Collins | Nampa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51°F | 52°F |
| January avg low | 18°F | 23°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 93°F |
| Annual snowfall | 51.4" | 9.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 15.9" | 11.0" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 50.7°F vs 52.0°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Expect 9.7 in of snow annually at the destination — manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: FT COLLINS, CO US, NAMPA SUGAR FACTORY, ID US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fort Collins | Nampa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,705 | 106,289 |
| Median household income | $83,598 | $72,122 |
| Median age | 30.6 | 34.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 34.3% | 16.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.4 | 2.85 |
Income steps down 2.7%: $83,598 in Fort Collins vs $72,122 in Nampa.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Nampa MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 49,860 | $40,850 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 32,370 | $39,170 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 31,530 | $29,290 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 31,420 | $37,030 |
| Management Occupations | 29,410 | $89,660 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and Idaho
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Idaho'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.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- 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.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Nampa average 93°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Nampa sees only 11.0 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.
- Register to vote in Idaho after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Fort Collins to Nampa?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 771 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Nampa compared to Fort Collins?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $412,277 in Nampa vs $563,815 in Fort Collins — a 26.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Fort Collins vs Nampa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $72,122 in Nampa vs $83,598 in Fort Collins — a 13.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Nampa more expensive than Fort Collins?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Nampa is 2.7% lower than Fort Collins (98.391 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 Nampa?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 52.0°F in Nampa vs 50.7°F in Fort Collins (1.3°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 9.7 in vs 51.4 in. Annual precipitation: 11.0 in vs 15.9 in.
How far is Nampa, ID from Fort Collins, CO?
The driving distance is 771 mi and the route typically takes 12h 54m via I 84 and I 80. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Nampa compare to Fort Collins?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,320 in the Nampa MSA vs $50,820 in the Fort Collins MSA, on total employment of 372,470 and 173,230 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fort Collins.
City profiles: Fort Collins, CO · Nampa, ID.