Moving from Omaha, NE to Fort Collins, CO
It is 537 mi between Omaha and Fort Collins β roughly 9h 10m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 3 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.
537 mi Β· 9h 10m by car Β· NE β WY β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | NE β WY β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 25, US 87 |
| Major cities en route | Lincoln, Greeley |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Omaha | Fort Collins | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.911 | 101.128 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 76.378 | 82.156 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.063 | 96.052 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.404 | 120.592 | 100.0 |
Fort Collins runs about 10.0% more expensive overall than Omaha β RPP 91.911 β 101.128.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $294,189 in Omaha to $563,815 in Fort Collins, a 10.0% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Omaha +1.2%, Fort Collins -1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Omaha | Fort Collins |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 15Β°F | 18Β°F |
| July avg high | 85Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 51.4" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 15.9" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 51.3Β°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: OMAHA #1, NE US, FT COLLINS, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Omaha | Fort Collins |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 488,197 | 169,705 |
| Median household income | $72,708 | $83,598 |
| Median age | 35.3 | 30.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.6% | 34.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.44 | 2.4 |
Households in Fort Collins earn about 10.0% 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 Nebraska 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
- 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 much do homes cost in Fort Collins compared to Omaha?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $563,815 in Fort Collins vs $294,189 in Omaha β a 91.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Fort Collins, CO from Omaha, NE?
The driving distance is 537 mi and the route typically takes 9h 10m via I 80 and I 25. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Omaha 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 537 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Fort Collins more expensive than Omaha?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fort Collins is 10.0% higher than Omaha (101.128 vs 91.911, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Fort Collins compare to Omaha?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,820 in the Fort Collins MSA vs $47,580 in the Omaha MSA, on total employment of 173,230 and 483,970 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Omaha vs Fort Collins?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $83,598 in Fort Collins vs $72,708 in Omaha β a 15.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Omaha.
City profiles: Omaha, NE Β· Fort Collins, CO.