Moving from Burbank, CA to Fort Collins, CO
It is 1077 mi between Burbank and Fort Collins — roughly 18h 53m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 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.
1077 mi · 18h 53m by car · CO → UT → AZ → NV → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CO → UT → AZ → NV → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 15, I 15 ALT |
| Major cities en route | Greeley, Thornton, Boulder, Westminster, Denver |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Burbank | Fort Collins | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 101.128 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 82.156 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 96.052 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 120.592 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 11.0% moving from Burbank to Fort Collins — meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $1,200,885 in Burbank to $563,815 in Fort Collins, a 11.0% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Burbank -2.4%, Fort Collins -1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Burbank | Fort Collins |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65°F | 51°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 18°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 51.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 16.5" | 15.9" |
Annual temperature drops 13.8°F moving to Fort Collins per NOAA 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: BURBANK VALLEY PUMP PLT, CA US, FT COLLINS, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Burbank | Fort Collins |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,165 | 169,705 |
| Median household income | $95,816 | $83,598 |
| Median age | 39.8 | 30.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31% | 34.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.44 | 2.4 |
Households in Fort Collins earn about 11.0% less at the median — 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 California 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 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-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
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 0.0 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (13.8°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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 Burbank?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $563,815 in Fort Collins vs $1,200,885 in Burbank — a 53.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Fort Collins compare to Burbank?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,820 in the Fort Collins MSA vs $50,490 in the Burbank MSA, on total employment of 173,230 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Fort Collins, CO from Burbank, CA?
The driving distance is 1077 mi and the route typically takes 18h 53m via I 70 and I 15. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Burbank and Fort Collins?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.7°F in Fort Collins vs 64.5°F in Burbank (13.8°F colder). Annual snowfall: 51.4 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 15.9 in vs 16.5 in.
How does household income compare in Burbank vs Fort Collins?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $83,598 in Fort Collins vs $95,816 in Burbank — a 12.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Burbank 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 1077 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Fort Collins more expensive than Burbank?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fort Collins is 11.0% lower than Burbank (101.128 vs 113.566, 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 Burbank.
City profiles: Burbank, CA · Fort Collins, CO.