Moving from Aurora, IL to Fort Collins, CO
Relocating 970 mi from Aurora to Fort Collins is a 17h 5m drive through 5 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
970 mi · 17h 5m by car · IL → IA → NE → WY → CO
Distance & route
| Route through | IL → IA → NE → WY → CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 80 EXPRESS, I 88 |
| Major cities en route | Joliet, Naperville, Elgin, Rockford, Cedar Rapids |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Aurora | Fort Collins | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 101.128 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 82.156 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 96.052 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 120.592 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 103.595 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 2.4% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $316,958 to $563,815 moving to Fort Collins.
YoY change: Aurora +2.9%, Fort Collins -1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Aurora | Fort Collins |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50°F | 51°F |
| January avg low | 16°F | 18°F |
| July avg high | 84°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 27.9" | 51.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 39.5" | 15.9" |
Annual average temperatures in Aurora (50.2°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: AURORA, IL US, FT COLLINS, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Aurora | Fort Collins |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 179,867 | 169,705 |
| Median household income | $90,109 | $83,598 |
| Median age | 35.2 | 30.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.5% | 34.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.98 | 2.4 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 2.4% lower in Fort Collins than Aurora.
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 Illinois 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
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — 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 — check CDOT alerts before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Fort Collins averages 51.4 in annually vs 27.9 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- 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 Aurora, IL?
The driving distance is 970 mi and the route typically takes 17h 5m via I 80 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Fort Collins more expensive than Aurora?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fort Collins is 2.4% lower than Aurora (101.128 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Aurora 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 970 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Aurora vs Fort Collins?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $83,598 in Fort Collins vs $90,109 in Aurora — a 7.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Aurora and Fort Collins?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.7°F in Fort Collins vs 50.2°F in Aurora (0.5°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 51.4 in vs 27.9 in. Annual precipitation: 15.9 in vs 39.5 in.
How does the job market in Fort Collins compare to Aurora?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,820 in the Fort Collins MSA vs $49,790 in the Aurora MSA, on total employment of 173,230 and 4,506,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Fort Collins compared to Aurora?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $563,815 in Fort Collins vs $316,958 in Aurora — a 77.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Aurora.
City profiles: Aurora, IL · Fort Collins, CO.