Moving from Fort Collins, CO to Pueblo, CO
It is a 172 mi drive, roughly 3h 12m, between Fort Collins, CO and Pueblo, CO. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
172 mi Β· 3h 12m by car Β· CO
Distance & route
| Route through | CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 25, US 50, US 50 BUS |
| Major cities en route | Greeley, Boulder, Thornton, Westminster, Arvada |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fort Collins | Pueblo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 101.128 | 91.762 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.156 | 81.933 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.052 | 96.052 | 100.0 |
| Services | 120.592 | 71.285 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 9.3% cheaper overall in Pueblo than Fort Collins on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
9.3% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Fort Collins -1.4%, Pueblo -1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fort Collins | Pueblo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 18Β°F | 16Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 51.4" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 15.9" | 13.8" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FT COLLINS, CO US, WFO PUEBLO, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fort Collins | Pueblo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,705 | 111,514 |
| Median household income | $83,598 | $55,305 |
| Median age | 30.6 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 34.3% | 14.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.4 | 2.42 |
Pueblo households earn about 9.3% less than Fort Collins at the median β $83,598 β $55,305 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Pueblo MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 7,340 | $41,440 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 6,170 | $35,290 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 6,010 | $31,240 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 5,440 | $41,710 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 4,910 | $84,190 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
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 Pueblo average 93Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Pueblo sees only 13.8 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.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Pueblo compared to Fort Collins?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $283,603 in Pueblo vs $563,815 in Fort Collins β a 49.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Pueblo more expensive than Fort Collins?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Pueblo is 9.3% lower than Fort Collins (91.762 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 Pueblo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,305 in Pueblo vs $83,598 in Fort Collins β a 33.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Pueblo, CO from Fort Collins, CO?
The driving distance is 172 mi and the route typically takes 3h 12m via I 25 and US 50. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Fort Collins to Pueblo?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 172 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 Pueblo compare to Fort Collins?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,540 in the Pueblo MSA vs $50,820 in the Fort Collins MSA, on total employment of 63,190 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 Β· Pueblo, CO.