Moving from Fort Collins, CO to Philadelphia, PA
Cross-country relocations like Fort Collins, CO → Philadelphia, PA cover 1748 mi and about 31h 21m of driving through 8 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1748 mi · 31h 21m by car · PA → OH → IN → IL → IA → NE → WY → CO
Distance & route
| Route through | PA → OH → IN → IL → IA → NE → WY → CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 76, I 80 EXPRESS |
| Major cities en route | Pittsburgh, Akron, Cleveland, Toledo, South Bend |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fort Collins | Philadelphia | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 101.128 | 102.554 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.156 | 114.389 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.052 | 96.833 | 100.0 |
| Services | 120.592 | 113.141 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Fort Collins (101.128) and Philadelphia (102.554) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Philadelphia: 1.4% below Fort Collins on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Fort Collins -1.4%, Philadelphia +2.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Fort Collins | Philadelphia |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51°F | 58°F |
| January avg low | 18°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 89°F |
| Annual snowfall | 51.4" | 16.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 15.9" | 50.7" |
Climate warms by 7.0°F on the annual average — 50.7°F → 57.7°F.
Heavy-snow city: expect 16.1 in of snowfall annually at Philadelphia.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: FT COLLINS, CO US, PHILA FRANKLIN INST, PA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fort Collins | Philadelphia |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,705 | 1,582,432 |
| Median household income | $83,598 | $60,698 |
| Median age | 30.6 | 35.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 34.3% | 19.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.4 | 2.36 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 1.4% between Fort Collins and Philadelphia (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Philadelphia MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 352,560 | $46,660 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 252,940 | $41,710 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 228,980 | $36,650 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 223,850 | $31,100 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 200,320 | $86,620 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and Pennsylvania
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Pennsylvania'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
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- 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
- Winter gear first: Philadelphia averages 16.1 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Pack rain gear on top: Philadelphia averages 50.7 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- 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 Pennsylvania after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Fort Collins to Philadelphia?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1748 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Philadelphia, PA from Fort Collins, CO?
The driving distance is 1748 mi and the route typically takes 31h 21m via I 80 and I 76. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Philadelphia more expensive than Fort Collins?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Philadelphia is 1.4% higher than Fort Collins (102.554 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 Philadelphia?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,698 in Philadelphia vs $83,598 in Fort Collins — a 27.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Fort Collins and Philadelphia?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 57.7°F in Philadelphia vs 50.7°F in Fort Collins (7.0°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 16.1 in vs 51.4 in. Annual precipitation: 50.7 in vs 15.9 in.
How does the job market in Philadelphia compare to Fort Collins?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,160 in the Philadelphia MSA vs $50,820 in the Fort Collins MSA, on total employment of 2,829,560 and 173,230 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Philadelphia compared to Fort Collins?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $231,815 in Philadelphia vs $563,815 in Fort Collins — a 58.9% lower 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 · Philadelphia, PA.