Moving from Eugene, OR to Fort Collins, CO
A move from Eugene, OR to Fort Collins, CO covers 1228 mi and around 22h 8m of driving through 5 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
1228 mi Β· 22h 8m by car Β· OR β ID β UT β WY β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | OR β ID β UT β WY β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 84, I 80, US 189 |
| Major cities en route | Nampa, Meridian, Boise City, Salt Lake City, Greeley |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Eugene | Fort Collins | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 101.568 | 101.128 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 102.531 | 82.156 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.261 | 96.052 | 100.0 |
| Services | 98.35 | 120.592 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Fort Collins and Eugene is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Fort Collins is 0.4% above Eugene ($563,815 vs $473,231 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Eugene -0.3%, Fort Collins -1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Eugene | Fort Collins |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 35Β°F | 18Β°F |
| July avg high | 84Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 51.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.8" | 15.9" |
Annual average temperatures in Eugene (53.1Β°F) and Fort Collins (50.7Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Fort Collins averages 51.4 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: EUGENE MAHLON SWEET AP, OR US, FT COLLINS, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Eugene | Fort Collins |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,520 | 169,705 |
| Median household income | $63,836 | $83,598 |
| Median age | 35.4 | 30.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.7% | 34.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.33 | 2.4 |
Median household income in Fort Collins is 0.4% above Eugene ($63,836 vs $83,598, 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 Oregon 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
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- 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 β 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 β check CDOT alerts before departure.
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
How much do homes cost in Fort Collins compared to Eugene?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $563,815 in Fort Collins vs $473,231 in Eugene β a 19.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Fort Collins compare to Eugene?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,820 in the Fort Collins MSA vs $46,620 in the Eugene MSA, on total employment of 173,230 and 155,990 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Fort Collins, CO from Eugene, OR?
The driving distance is 1228 mi and the route typically takes 22h 8m via I 84 and I 80. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Fort Collins more expensive than Eugene?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fort Collins is 0.4% lower than Eugene (101.128 vs 101.568, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Eugene vs Fort Collins?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $83,598 in Fort Collins vs $63,836 in Eugene β a 31.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Eugene 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 1228 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Eugene.
City profiles: Eugene, OR Β· Fort Collins, CO.