Moving from Fort Collins, CO to Cedar Rapids, IA
It is 789 mi between Fort Collins and Cedar Rapids β roughly 13h 55m 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.
789 mi Β· 13h 55m by car Β· CO β WY β NE β IA
Distance & route
| Route through | CO β WY β NE β IA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, US 30, I 25 |
| Major cities en route | Greeley, Lincoln, Omaha, Des Moines |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fort Collins | Cedar Rapids | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 101.128 | 88.963 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.156 | 83.981 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.052 | 93.73 | 100.0 |
| Services | 120.592 | 71.447 | 100.0 |
Expect about 12.0% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Cedar Rapids at 88.963 vs Fort Collins at 101.128.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 12.0% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $563,815 to $204,112 moving to Cedar Rapids.
YoY change: Fort Collins -1.4%, Cedar Rapids +2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fort Collins | Cedar Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 48Β°F |
| January avg low | 18Β°F | 11Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 83Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 51.4" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 15.9" | 35.9" |
Annual average temperatures in Fort Collins (50.7Β°F) and Cedar Rapids (48.3Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FT COLLINS, CO US, CEDAR RAPIDS MUNI AP, IA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fort Collins | Cedar Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,705 | 136,859 |
| Median household income | $83,598 | $67,859 |
| Median age | 30.6 | 36.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 34.3% | 22.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.4 | 2.32 |
Households in Cedar Rapids earn about 12.0% less at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Cedar Rapids MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 16,490 | $43,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 14,280 | $46,000 |
| Production Occupations | 13,570 | $46,060 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 11,520 | $34,850 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 11,280 | $29,630 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and Iowa
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Iowa'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-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Tornado season runs April through June β identify a safe room or interior space early.
- 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 Iowa after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Fort Collins vs Cedar Rapids?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,859 in Cedar Rapids vs $83,598 in Fort Collins β a 18.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Cedar Rapids more expensive than Fort Collins?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Cedar Rapids is 12.0% lower than Fort Collins (88.963 vs 101.128, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Cedar Rapids compared to Fort Collins?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $204,112 in Cedar Rapids vs $563,815 in Fort Collins β a 63.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Fort Collins to Cedar Rapids?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 789 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Cedar Rapids compare to Fort Collins?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,670 in the Cedar Rapids MSA vs $50,820 in the Fort Collins MSA, on total employment of 140,020 and 173,230 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Cedar Rapids, IA from Fort Collins, CO?
The driving distance is 789 mi and the route typically takes 13h 55m via I 80 and US 30. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fort Collins.
City profiles: Fort Collins, CO Β· Cedar Rapids, IA.