Moving from Lakewood, CO to Fort Collins, CO
Moving from Lakewood, CO to Fort Collins, CO covers 68 mi and about 1h 24m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
68 mi · 1h 24m by car · CO
Distance & route
| Route through | CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 25, CO 391, I 76 |
| Major cities en route | Greeley, Boulder, Thornton, Westminster, Denver |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lakewood | Fort Collins | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 101.128 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 82.156 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 96.052 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 120.592 | 100.0 |
Fort Collins and Lakewood are close on the overall BEA RPP (105.782 vs 101.128); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home values are comparable between the two cities on the latest Zillow ZHVI.
YoY change: Lakewood -2.6%, Fort Collins -1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Lakewood | Fort Collins |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50°F | 51°F |
| January avg low | 21°F | 18°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 58.0" | 51.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 17.5" | 15.9" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 50.4°F vs 50.7°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Fort Collins sees 51.4 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: LAKEWOOD, CO US, FT COLLINS, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lakewood | Fort Collins |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,309 | 169,705 |
| Median household income | $85,789 | $83,598 |
| Median age | 38 | 30.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.1% | 34.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.26 | 2.4 |
Household income lines up — $85,789 vs $83,598 on ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Fort Collins MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 19,130 | $46,140 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 19,060 | $39,090 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 17,830 | $35,050 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 12,630 | $79,180 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 12,170 | $84,720 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
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
- Winter gear first: Fort Collins averages 51.4 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- 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
When is the best time to move from Lakewood to Fort Collins?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 68 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Fort Collins, CO from Lakewood, CO?
The driving distance is 68 mi and the route typically takes 1h 24m via I 25 and CO 391. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Lakewood vs Fort Collins?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $83,598 in Fort Collins vs $85,789 in Lakewood — a 2.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Fort Collins compare to Lakewood?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,820 in the Fort Collins MSA vs $58,490 in the Lakewood MSA, on total employment of 173,230 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Lakewood and Fort Collins?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.7°F in Fort Collins vs 50.4°F in Lakewood (0.3°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 51.4 in vs 58.0 in. Annual precipitation: 15.9 in vs 17.5 in.
Is Fort Collins more expensive than Lakewood?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fort Collins is 4.4% lower than Lakewood (101.128 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Fort Collins compared to Lakewood?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $563,815 in Fort Collins vs $573,913 in Lakewood — a 1.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Lakewood.
City profiles: Lakewood, CO · Fort Collins, CO.