Moving from Fort Collins, CO to Arvada, CO
It is a 62 mi drive, roughly 1h 17m, between Fort Collins, CO and Arvada, CO. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
62 mi · 1h 17m by car · CO
Distance & route
| Route through | CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 25, NW, CR 17 |
| Major cities en route | Greeley, Thornton, Aurora, Boulder, Westminster |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fort Collins | Arvada | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 101.128 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.156 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.052 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 120.592 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 4.6% above Fort Collins — $563,815 → $616,566 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Fort Collins -1.4%, Arvada -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Fort Collins | Arvada |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 18°F | 17°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 88°F |
| Annual snowfall | 51.4" | 75.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 15.9" | 17.1" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Heavy-snow city: expect 75.5 in of snowfall annually at Arvada.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: FT COLLINS, CO US, WHEAT RIDGE 2, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fort Collins | Arvada |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,705 | 122,835 |
| Median household income | $83,598 | $113,396 |
| Median age | 30.6 | 40.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 34.3% | 31.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.4 | 2.47 |
Arvada households earn about 4.6% more than Fort Collins at the median — $83,598 → $113,396 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Arvada 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.
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.
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 — Arvada averages 75.5 in annually vs 51.4 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.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Arvada compared to Fort Collins?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $616,566 in Arvada vs $563,815 in Fort Collins — a 9.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Fort Collins and Arvada?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.3°F in Arvada vs 50.7°F in Fort Collins (0.4°F colder). Annual snowfall: 75.5 in vs 51.4 in. Annual precipitation: 17.1 in vs 15.9 in.
How does household income compare in Fort Collins vs Arvada?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $113,396 in Arvada vs $83,598 in Fort Collins — a 35.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Arvada, CO from Fort Collins, CO?
The driving distance is 62 mi and the route typically takes 1h 17m via I 25 and NW. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Arvada more expensive than Fort Collins?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Arvada is 4.6% higher than Fort Collins (105.782 vs 101.128, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Arvada compare to Fort Collins?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Arvada MSA vs $50,820 in the Fort Collins MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 173,230 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Fort Collins to Arvada?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 62 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — 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 Fort Collins.
City profiles: Fort Collins, CO · Arvada, CO.