Moving from Renton, WA to Fort Collins, CO
The drive from Renton, WA to Fort Collins, CO runs 1239 mi β about 21h 32m 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.
1239 mi Β· 21h 32m by car Β· CO β WY β UT β ID β OR β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | CO β WY β UT β ID β OR β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 84, I 80, US 97 |
| Major cities en route | Greeley, Salt Lake City, Boise City, Meridian, Nampa |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Renton | Fort Collins | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 101.128 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 82.156 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 96.052 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 120.592 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 111.133 to 101.128, putting Fort Collins roughly 9.0% below Renton on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Fort Collins: 9.0% below Renton on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Renton -2.1%, Fort Collins -1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Renton | Fort Collins |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 18Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 51.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 34.7" | 15.9" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Heavy-snow city: expect 51.4 in of snowfall annually at Fort Collins.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RENTON MUNI AP, WA US, FT COLLINS, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Renton | Fort Collins |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,279 | 169,705 |
| Median household income | $96,626 | $83,598 |
| Median age | 36.5 | 30.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.4% | 34.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.55 | 2.4 |
Income steps down 9.0%: $96,626 in Renton vs $83,598 in Fort Collins.
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 Washington 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
- 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.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β 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.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
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
Is Fort Collins more expensive than Renton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fort Collins is 9.0% lower than Renton (101.128 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Fort Collins, CO from Renton, WA?
The driving distance is 1239 mi and the route typically takes 21h 32m via I 84 and I 80. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Renton 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 1239 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Renton vs Fort Collins?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $83,598 in Fort Collins vs $96,626 in Renton β a 13.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Fort Collins compare to Renton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,820 in the Fort Collins MSA vs $65,260 in the Renton MSA, on total employment of 173,230 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Fort Collins compared to Renton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $563,815 in Fort Collins vs $764,375 in Renton β a 26.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Renton.
City profiles: Renton, WA Β· Fort Collins, CO.