Moving from Provo, UT to Fort Collins, CO
It is a 474 mi drive, roughly 8h 20m, between Provo, UT and Fort Collins, CO. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
474 mi · 8h 20m by car · CO → WY → UT
Distance & route
| Route through | CO → WY → UT |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, US 287, CO 14 |
| Major cities en route | Greeley, Salt Lake City, West Valley City, West Jordan |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Provo | Fort Collins | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.232 | 101.128 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 78.63 | 82.156 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.446 | 96.052 | 100.0 |
| Services | 104.081 | 120.592 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 98.232 vs 101.128 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 2.9% higher home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Provo +2.3%, Fort Collins -1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Provo | Fort Collins |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55°F | 51°F |
| January avg low | 24°F | 18°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 44.9" | 51.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 17.2" | 15.9" |
Annual average temperatures in Provo (54.6°F) and Fort Collins (50.7°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Fort Collins averages 51.4 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: PROVO BYU, UT US, FT COLLINS, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Provo | Fort Collins |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,303 | 169,705 |
| Median household income | $62,800 | $83,598 |
| Median age | 23.7 | 30.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.1% | 34.3% |
| Avg household size | 3.35 | 2.4 |
Fort Collins households earn about 2.9% more than Provo at the median — $62,800 → $83,598 on ACS 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 Utah 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 — 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 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — check WYDOT 511 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.
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.
- Register to vote in Colorado after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Fort Collins compared to Provo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $563,815 in Fort Collins vs $484,203 in Provo — a 16.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Fort Collins, CO from Provo, UT?
The driving distance is 474 mi and the route typically takes 8h 20m via I 80 and US 287. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Provo vs Fort Collins?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $83,598 in Fort Collins vs $62,800 in Provo — a 33.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Fort Collins compare to Provo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,820 in the Fort Collins MSA vs $45,700 in the Provo MSA, on total employment of 173,230 and 293,170 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Provo and Fort Collins?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.7°F in Fort Collins vs 54.6°F in Provo (3.9°F colder). Annual snowfall: 51.4 in vs 44.9 in. Annual precipitation: 15.9 in vs 17.2 in.
When is the best time to move from Provo 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 474 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Fort Collins more expensive than Provo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fort Collins is 2.9% higher than Provo (101.128 vs 98.232, 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 Provo.
City profiles: Provo, UT · Fort Collins, CO.