Moving from Fort Collins, CO to Warren, MI
Relocating 1278 mi from Fort Collins to Warren is a 22h 46m drive through 7 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1278 mi Β· 22h 46m by car Β· CO β WY β NE β IA β IL β IN β MI
Distance & route
| Route through | CO β WY β NE β IA β IL β IN β MI |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 94, I 25 |
| 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 | Warren | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 101.128 | 100.298 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.156 | 106.988 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.052 | 98.817 | 100.0 |
| Services | 120.592 | 94.69 | 100.0 |
Fort Collins and Warren sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $563,815 in Fort Collins to $196,785 in Warren, a 0.8% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Fort Collins -1.4%, Warren +2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fort Collins | Warren |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 18Β°F | 20Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 84Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 51.4" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 15.9" | 29.9" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 50.7Β°F vs 50.5Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FT COLLINS, CO US, DETROIT CITY AP, MI US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fort Collins | Warren |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,705 | 138,128 |
| Median household income | $83,598 | $63,741 |
| Median age | 30.6 | 37.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 34.3% | 13.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.4 | 2.55 |
Expect median household income to fall 0.8% β $83,598 β $63,741 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Warren MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 224,810 | $45,600 |
| Production Occupations | 186,670 | $44,740 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 165,670 | $40,090 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 160,290 | $36,830 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 153,090 | $30,480 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and Michigan
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Michigan'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.
- Lake-effect snow bands across the western Upper Peninsula can require chains on US-2.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Fort Collins vs Warren?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,741 in Warren vs $83,598 in Fort Collins β a 23.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Warren compared to Fort Collins?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $196,785 in Warren vs $563,815 in Fort Collins β a 65.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Warren compare to Fort Collins?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,950 in the Warren MSA vs $50,820 in the Fort Collins MSA, on total employment of 1,900,180 and 173,230 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Warren, MI from Fort Collins, CO?
The driving distance is 1278 mi and the route typically takes 22h 46m via I 80 and I 94. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Fort Collins to Warren?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1278 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Warren more expensive than Fort Collins?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Warren is 0.8% lower than Fort Collins (100.298 vs 101.128, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
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· Warren, MI.