Moving from Fort Collins, CO to Sugar Land, TX
A move from Fort Collins, CO to Sugar Land, TX covers 1080 mi and around 19h 50m of driving through 3 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
1080 mi · 19h 50m by car · CO → OK → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | CO → OK → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 287, TX 6, US 82 |
| Major cities en route | Greeley, Boulder, Thornton, Lakewood, Arvada |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fort Collins | Sugar Land | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 101.128 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.156 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.052 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 120.592 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Sugar Land and Fort Collins is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Sugar Land is 2.5% below Fort Collins — $563,815 vs $447,176 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Fort Collins -1.4%, Sugar Land -0.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Fort Collins | Sugar Land |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51°F | 71°F |
| January avg low | 18°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 51.4" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 15.9" | 51.1" |
Sugar Land runs 19.9°F warmer on the annual average (50.7°F vs 70.6°F) — a climate shift you will feel in cooling bills and wardrobe alike.
Sugar Land gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: FT COLLINS, CO US, SUGAR LAND, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fort Collins | Sugar Land |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,705 | 109,735 |
| Median household income | $83,598 | $137,511 |
| Median age | 30.6 | 42.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 34.3% | 35.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.4 | 2.9 |
Median household income in Sugar Land is 2.5% above Fort Collins ($83,598 vs $137,511, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Sugar Land MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 387,430 | $41,570 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 305,780 | $39,450 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 288,170 | $27,490 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 269,160 | $35,450 |
| Management Occupations | 268,670 | $109,460 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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 Sugar Land average 94°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: Sugar Land averages 51.1 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (19.9°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Sugar Land, TX from Fort Collins, CO?
The driving distance is 1080 mi and the route typically takes 19h 50m via US 287 and TX 6. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Sugar Land compare to Fort Collins?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Sugar Land MSA vs $50,820 in the Fort Collins MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 173,230 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Sugar Land compared to Fort Collins?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $447,176 in Sugar Land vs $563,815 in Fort Collins — a 20.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Fort Collins vs Sugar Land?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $137,511 in Sugar Land vs $83,598 in Fort Collins — a 64.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Fort Collins and Sugar Land?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.6°F in Sugar Land vs 50.7°F in Fort Collins (19.9°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 51.4 in. Annual precipitation: 51.1 in vs 15.9 in.
When is the best time to move from Fort Collins to Sugar Land?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1080 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Sugar Land more expensive than Fort Collins?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Sugar Land is 2.5% lower than Fort Collins (98.629 vs 101.128, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fort Collins.
City profiles: Fort Collins, CO · Sugar Land, TX.