Moving from Fort Collins, CO to Joliet, IL
The drive from Fort Collins, CO to Joliet, IL runs 978 mi — about 17h 10m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
978 mi · 17h 10m by car · CO → WY → NE → IA → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | CO → WY → NE → IA → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 25, I 280 |
| 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 | Joliet | 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 |
Joliet 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: Joliet typical home at $259,875 is 2.4% under Fort Collins at $563,815 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Fort Collins -1.4%, Joliet +1.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Fort Collins | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 18°F | 17°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 51.4" | 16.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 15.9" | 38.0" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 50.7°F vs 50.4°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Joliet sees 16.9 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, JOLIET BRANDON RD DAM, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fort Collins | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,705 | 149,785 |
| Median household income | $83,598 | $88,026 |
| Median age | 30.6 | 35.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 34.3% | 16% |
| Avg household size | 2.4 | 2.96 |
Income steps up 2.4%: $83,598 in Fort Collins vs $88,026 in Joliet.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Joliet 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: Joliet averages 16.9 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
When is the best time to move from Fort Collins to Joliet?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 978 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Fort Collins vs Joliet?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,026 in Joliet vs $83,598 in Fort Collins — a 5.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Joliet more expensive than Fort Collins?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Joliet 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 much do homes cost in Joliet compared to Fort Collins?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $259,875 in Joliet vs $563,815 in Fort Collins — a 53.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Fort Collins and Joliet?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.4°F in Joliet vs 50.7°F in Fort Collins (0.3°F colder). Annual snowfall: 16.9 in vs 51.4 in. Annual precipitation: 38.0 in vs 15.9 in.
How far is Joliet, IL from Fort Collins, CO?
The driving distance is 978 mi and the route typically takes 17h 10m via I 80 and I 25. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Joliet compare to Fort Collins?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Joliet 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.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fort Collins.
City profiles: Fort Collins, CO · Joliet, IL.