Moving from Boise City, ID to Fort Collins, CO
It is 753 mi between Boise City and Fort Collins — roughly 12h 35m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 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.
753 mi · 12h 35m by car · ID → UT → WY → CO
Distance & route
| Route through | ID → UT → WY → CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, US 189, I 84 |
| Major cities en route | Meridian, Nampa, Salt Lake City, Greeley |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Boise City | Fort Collins | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.391 | 101.128 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 70.695 | 82.156 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.179 | 96.052 | 100.0 |
| Services | 105.58 | 120.592 | 100.0 |
Boise City and Fort Collins sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: Boise City —, Fort Collins -1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Boise City | Fort Collins |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 51°F |
| January avg low | 26°F | 18°F |
| July avg high | 93°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 17.6" | 51.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.5" | 15.9" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 53.2°F vs 50.7°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Fort Collins sees 51.4 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: BOISE AIR TERMINAL, ID US, FT COLLINS, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Boise City | Fort Collins |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 169,705 |
| Median household income | $81,308 | $83,598 |
| Median age | 38.2 | 30.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.2% | 34.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.37 | 2.4 |
Household income lines up — $81,308 vs $83,598 on 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 Idaho 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
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- 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.
- 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 17.6 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 does the job market in Fort Collins compare to Boise City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,820 in the Fort Collins MSA vs $45,320 in the Boise City MSA, on total employment of 173,230 and 372,470 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Boise City 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 753 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Boise City vs Fort Collins?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $83,598 in Fort Collins vs $81,308 in Boise City — a 2.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Fort Collins more expensive than Boise City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fort Collins is 2.8% higher than Boise City (101.128 vs 98.391, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Fort Collins, CO from Boise City, ID?
The driving distance is 753 mi and the route typically takes 12h 35m via I 80 and US 189. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Boise City and Fort Collins?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.7°F in Fort Collins vs 53.2°F in Boise City (2.5°F colder). Annual snowfall: 51.4 in vs 17.6 in. Annual precipitation: 15.9 in vs 11.5 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Boise City.
City profiles: Boise City, ID · Fort Collins, CO.