Moving from El Monte, CA to Fort Collins, CO
It is 1061 mi between El Monte and Fort Collins — roughly 18h 35m 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.
1061 mi · 18h 35m 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
| El Monte | 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 |
Moderate COL drop: 11.0% cheaper overall in Fort Collins than El Monte on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
11.0% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: El Monte +0.8%, Fort Collins -1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | El Monte | Fort Collins |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 51°F |
| January avg low | 46°F | 18°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 51.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 15.7" | 15.9" |
Annual average temperature gap of 15.3°F — a meaningful climate change across the move.
Heavy-snow city: expect 51.4 in of snowfall annually at Fort Collins.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SAN GABRIEL FIRE DEPT, CA US, FT COLLINS, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | El Monte | Fort Collins |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,066 | 169,705 |
| Median household income | $64,484 | $83,598 |
| Median age | 38.1 | 30.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 11.4% | 34.3% |
| Avg household size | 3.62 | 2.4 |
Fort Collins households earn about 11.0% more than El Monte at the median — $64,484 → $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 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 (15.3°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
Is Fort Collins more expensive than El Monte?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fort Collins is 11.0% lower than El Monte (101.128 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between El Monte and Fort Collins?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.7°F in Fort Collins vs 66.0°F in El Monte (15.3°F colder). Annual snowfall: 51.4 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 15.9 in vs 15.7 in.
When is the best time to move from El Monte 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 1061 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Fort Collins, CO from El Monte, CA?
The driving distance is 1061 mi and the route typically takes 18h 35m via I 70 and I 15. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in El Monte vs Fort Collins?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $83,598 in Fort Collins vs $64,484 in El Monte — a 29.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Fort Collins compare to El Monte?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,820 in the Fort Collins MSA vs $50,490 in the El Monte 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 much do homes cost in Fort Collins compared to El Monte?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $563,815 in Fort Collins vs $765,444 in El Monte — a 26.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from El Monte.
City profiles: El Monte, CA · Fort Collins, CO.