Moving from Fargo, ND to Denver, CO
It is 861 mi between Fargo and Denver β roughly 15h 17m 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.
861 mi Β· 15h 17m by car Β· CO β NE β SD β ND
Distance & route
| Route through | CO β NE β SD β ND |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 29, I 76, N-70 |
| Major cities en route | Aurora, Centennial, Lakewood, Arvada, Westminster |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fargo | Denver | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.871 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 77.324 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.654 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 81.142 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Denver runs about 16.4% more expensive overall than Fargo β RPP 90.871 β 105.782.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $314,973 in Fargo to $539,666 in Denver, a 16.4% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Fargo +4.2%, Denver -4.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fargo | Denver |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 41Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | -2Β°F | 18Β°F |
| July avg high | 82Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 49.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 24.4" | 15.4" |
Annual temperature rises 10.0Β°F moving to Denver per NOAA normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Denver sees 49.0 in a year on NOAA normals β budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FARGO 3S, ND US, DENVER-STAPLETON, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fargo | Denver |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,064 | 713,734 |
| Median household income | $66,029 | $91,681 |
| Median age | 32.2 | 35.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29% | 33.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.2 | 2.17 |
Denver households earn about 16.4% more than Fargo at the median β $66,029 β $91,681 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Denver MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 173,910 | $49,000 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 172,890 | $48,280 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 164,250 | $84,370 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 140,150 | $36,010 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 129,510 | $45,350 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between North Dakota 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
- 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.
- I-90 across western South Dakota can close in ground blizzards β check SD 511 November through April.
- I-29 and I-94 can close without notice in winter storms; travel bans are declared more than once most winters.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Denver averages 49.0 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Denver average 90Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (10.0Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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 Denver, CO from Fargo, ND?
The driving distance is 861 mi and the route typically takes 15h 17m via I 29 and I 76. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Fargo vs Denver?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $91,681 in Denver vs $66,029 in Fargo β a 38.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Denver more expensive than Fargo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Denver is 16.4% higher than Fargo (105.782 vs 90.871, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Denver compared to Fargo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $539,666 in Denver vs $314,973 in Fargo β a 71.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Denver compare to Fargo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Denver MSA vs $48,110 in the Fargo MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 145,680 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Fargo to Denver?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 861 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 Fargo.
City profiles: Fargo, ND Β· Denver, CO.