Moving from Fort Collins, CO to Elgin, IL
A move from Fort Collins, CO to Elgin, IL covers 977 mi and around 17h 21m 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.
977 mi · 17h 21m by car · CO → WY → NE → IA → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | CO → WY → NE → IA → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 88, IL 110 |
| Major cities en route | Greeley, Lincoln, Omaha, Des Moines, Cedar Rapids |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fort Collins | Elgin | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 101.128 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.156 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.052 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 120.592 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
Elgin and Fort Collins are close on the overall BEA RPP (101.128 vs 103.595); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Elgin typical home at $329,682 is 2.4% under Fort Collins at $563,815 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Fort Collins -1.4%, Elgin +3.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Fort Collins | Elgin |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51°F | 49°F |
| January avg low | 18°F | 14°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 51.4" | 32.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 15.9" | 39.9" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 50.7°F vs 49.0°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Elgin sees 32.1 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: FT COLLINS, CO US, ELGIN, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fort Collins | Elgin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,705 | 114,106 |
| Median household income | $83,598 | $88,316 |
| Median age | 30.6 | 36.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 34.3% | 16.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.4 | 2.94 |
Median household income in Elgin is 2.4% above Fort Collins ($83,598 → $88,316, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Elgin MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 519,810 | $46,540 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 497,550 | $41,020 |
| Management Occupations | 405,130 | $125,280 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 386,070 | $38,490 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 368,000 | $33,540 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and Illinois
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Illinois'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 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — check WYDOT 511 before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Elgin averages 32.1 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — 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 Illinois after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Elgin compared to Fort Collins?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $329,682 in Elgin vs $563,815 in Fort Collins — a 41.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Elgin compare to Fort Collins?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Elgin MSA vs $50,820 in the Fort Collins MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 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 Elgin?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 977 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Fort Collins and Elgin?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 49.0°F in Elgin vs 50.7°F in Fort Collins (1.7°F colder). Annual snowfall: 32.1 in vs 51.4 in. Annual precipitation: 39.9 in vs 15.9 in.
How far is Elgin, IL from Fort Collins, CO?
The driving distance is 977 mi and the route typically takes 17h 21m via I 80 and I 88. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Elgin more expensive than Fort Collins?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Elgin is 2.4% higher than Fort Collins (103.595 vs 101.128, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Fort Collins vs Elgin?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,316 in Elgin vs $83,598 in Fort Collins — a 5.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fort Collins.
City profiles: Fort Collins, CO · Elgin, IL.