Moving from Fort Collins, CO to Paterson, NJ
Cross-country relocations like Fort Collins, CO β Paterson, NJ cover 1769 mi and about 31h 51m of driving through 9 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1769 mi Β· 31h 51m by car Β· CO β WY β NE β IA β IL β IN β OH β PA β NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | CO β WY β NE β IA β IL β IN β OH β PA β NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 90, I 25 |
| Major cities en route | Greeley, Lincoln, Omaha, Des Moines, Cedar Rapids |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fort Collins | Paterson | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 101.128 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.156 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.052 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 120.592 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Paterson is 11.3% higher than Fort Collins, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Paterson is 11.3% below Fort Collins ($528,882 vs $563,815 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Fort Collins -1.4%, Paterson +5.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fort Collins | Paterson |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 18Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 51.4" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 15.9" | β |
Annual average temperatures in Fort Collins (50.7Β°F) and Paterson (53.1Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FT COLLINS, CO US, LITTLE FALLS, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fort Collins | Paterson |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,705 | 157,660 |
| Median household income | $83,598 | $53,766 |
| Median age | 30.6 | 33.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 34.3% | 9.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.4 | 3.17 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 11.3% between Fort Collins and Paterson (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Paterson MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 1,165,200 | $50,760 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 806,590 | $46,160 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 755,900 | $44,800 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 755,280 | $37,670 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 725,930 | $100,940 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and New Jersey
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check New Jersey'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.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
Is Paterson more expensive than Fort Collins?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Paterson is 11.3% higher than Fort Collins (112.563 vs 101.128, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Fort Collins to Paterson?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1769 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Paterson compare to Fort Collins?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Paterson MSA vs $50,820 in the Fort Collins MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 and 173,230 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Fort Collins vs Paterson?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $53,766 in Paterson vs $83,598 in Fort Collins β a 35.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Paterson, NJ from Fort Collins, CO?
The driving distance is 1769 mi and the route typically takes 31h 51m via I 80 and I 90. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Paterson compared to Fort Collins?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $528,882 in Paterson vs $563,815 in Fort Collins β a 6.2% 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· Paterson, NJ.