Moving from Fort Collins, CO to Surprise, AZ
The drive from Fort Collins, CO to Surprise, AZ runs 878 mi — about 16h 36m 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.
878 mi · 16h 36m by car · CO → UT → AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | CO → UT → AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, US 191, US 160 |
| Major cities en route | Greeley, Thornton, Boulder, Westminster, Denver |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fort Collins | Surprise | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 101.128 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.156 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.052 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 120.592 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Surprise 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 Surprise is 2.2% below Fort Collins — $563,815 vs $422,473 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Fort Collins -1.4%, Surprise -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Fort Collins | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51°F | 70°F |
| January avg low | 18°F | 39°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 105°F |
| Annual snowfall | 51.4" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 15.9" | 9.6" |
Surprise runs 19.5°F warmer on the annual average (50.7°F vs 70.2°F) — a climate shift you will feel in cooling bills and wardrobe alike.
Surprise 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, WITTMANN 1SE, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fort Collins | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,705 | 149,519 |
| Median household income | $83,598 | $93,371 |
| Median age | 30.6 | 41.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 34.3% | 19.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.4 | 2.75 |
Income steps up 2.2%: $83,598 in Fort Collins vs $93,371 in Surprise.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Surprise MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 314,170 | $45,080 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 205,010 | $34,400 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 204,700 | $37,700 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 199,140 | $40,870 |
| Management Occupations | 170,690 | $105,420 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and Arizona
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Arizona'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 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Surprise average 105°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Surprise sees only 9.6 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (19.5°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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 Arizona after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Surprise compare to Fort Collins?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Surprise MSA vs $50,820 in the Fort Collins MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 173,230 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Surprise compared to Fort Collins?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $422,473 in Surprise vs $563,815 in Fort Collins — a 25.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Surprise, AZ from Fort Collins, CO?
The driving distance is 878 mi and the route typically takes 16h 36m via I 70 and US 191. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Surprise more expensive than Fort Collins?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Surprise is 2.2% higher than Fort Collins (103.316 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 Surprise?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $93,371 in Surprise vs $83,598 in Fort Collins — a 11.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Fort Collins to Surprise?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 878 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Fort Collins and Surprise?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.2°F in Surprise vs 50.7°F in Fort Collins (19.5°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 51.4 in. Annual precipitation: 9.6 in vs 15.9 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fort Collins.
City profiles: Fort Collins, CO · Surprise, AZ.