Moving from Madison, WI to Fort Collins, CO
It is 953 mi between Madison and Fort Collins β roughly 17h 14m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
953 mi Β· 17h 14m by car Β· WI β IA β NE β WY β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | WI β IA β NE β WY β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80 EXPRESS, I 80, US 151 |
| Major cities en route | Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, Omaha, Lincoln, Greeley |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Madison | Fort Collins | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.287 | 101.128 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.825 | 82.156 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.787 | 96.052 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.748 | 120.592 | 100.0 |
Madison and Fort Collins sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $423,767 in Madison to $563,815 in Fort Collins, a 3.9% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Madison +2.4%, Fort Collins -1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Madison | Fort Collins |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 47Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 11Β°F | 18Β°F |
| July avg high | 82Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 51.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.2" | 15.9" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 47.2Β°F vs 50.7Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Fort Collins sees 51.4 in a year on NOAA normals β budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: UW ARBORETUM - MADISON, WI US, FT COLLINS, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Madison | Fort Collins |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 275,568 | 169,705 |
| Median household income | $76,983 | $83,598 |
| Median age | 31.8 | 30.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.5% | 34.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.19 | 2.4 |
Households in Fort Collins earn about 3.9% more at the median β 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.
Moving between Wisconsin and Colorado
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Colorado'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
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin β check 511wi.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- 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
- Winter gear first: Fort Collins averages 51.4 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β 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.
- Register to vote in Colorado after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Fort Collins, CO from Madison, WI?
The driving distance is 953 mi and the route typically takes 17h 14m via I 80 EXPRESS and I 80. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Fort Collins compare to Madison?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,820 in the Fort Collins MSA vs $50,910 in the Madison MSA, on total employment of 173,230 and 396,960 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Fort Collins compared to Madison?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $563,815 in Fort Collins vs $423,767 in Madison β a 33.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Madison vs Fort Collins?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $83,598 in Fort Collins vs $76,983 in Madison β a 8.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Fort Collins more expensive than Madison?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fort Collins is 3.9% higher than Madison (101.128 vs 97.287, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Madison to Fort Collins?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 953 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Madison.
City profiles: Madison, WI Β· Fort Collins, CO.