Moving from Fort Collins, CO to Naperville, IL
It is 980 mi between Fort Collins and Naperville β roughly 17h 16m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 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.
980 mi Β· 17h 16m by car Β· CO β WY β NE β IA β IL
Distance & route
| Route through | CO β WY β NE β IA β 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 | Naperville | 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 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 2.4% above Fort Collins β $563,815 β $610,454 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Fort Collins -1.4%, Naperville +5.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fort Collins | Naperville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 49Β°F |
| January avg low | 18Β°F | 15Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 84Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 51.4" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 15.9" | 40.2" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FT COLLINS, CO US, LISLE-MORTON ARBORETUM, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fort Collins | Naperville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,705 | 149,424 |
| Median household income | $83,598 | $150,937 |
| Median age | 30.6 | 40.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 34.3% | 38.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.4 | 2.75 |
Naperville households earn about 2.4% more than Fort Collins at the median β $83,598 β $150,937 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Naperville 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 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.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Naperville compare to Fort Collins?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Naperville 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.
How far is Naperville, IL from Fort Collins, CO?
The driving distance is 980 mi and the route typically takes 17h 16m via I 80 and I 88. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Fort Collins vs Naperville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $150,937 in Naperville vs $83,598 in Fort Collins β a 80.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Naperville more expensive than Fort Collins?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Naperville 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.
When is the best time to move from Fort Collins to Naperville?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 980 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Naperville compared to Fort Collins?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $610,454 in Naperville vs $563,815 in Fort Collins β a 8.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
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· Naperville, IL.