Moving from Fresno, CA to Greeley, CO
A move from Fresno, CA to Greeley, CO covers 1200 mi and around 21h 18m 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.
1200 mi · 21h 18m by car · CA → NV → AZ → UT → CO
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → NV → AZ → UT → CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 15, CA 99 |
| Major cities en route | Clovis, Visalia, Bakersfield, Lancaster, Victorville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fresno | Greeley | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 102.158 | 100.176 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 161.01 | 81.997 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 96.052 | 100.0 |
| Services | 95.725 | 112.599 | 100.0 |
Greeley and Fresno are close on the overall BEA RPP (102.158 vs 100.176); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow typical home value is 1.9% higher in Greeley than Fresno as of 2026-03.
YoY change: Fresno +0.1%, Greeley -1.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Fresno | Greeley |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65°F | 52°F |
| January avg low | 41°F | 18°F |
| July avg high | 98°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 34.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.0" | 14.7" |
Greeley is 12.9°F cooler on the annual average (65.0°F vs 52.1°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
Significant snow at the destination: Greeley sees 34.9 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: FRESNO YOSEMITE INTL AP, CA US, GREELEY UNC, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fresno | Greeley |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,615 | 109,421 |
| Median household income | $66,804 | $68,650 |
| Median age | 32.4 | 32.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.7% | 15.9% |
| Avg household size | 3.03 | 2.81 |
Household income lines up — $66,804 vs $68,650 on ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Greeley MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 11,370 | $46,100 |
| Construction and Extraction Occupations | 11,010 | $52,590 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 10,590 | $47,780 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 10,120 | $39,710 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 9,660 | $32,760 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Colorado
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Colorado'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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- 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
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Greeley averages 34.9 in annually vs 0.0 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Greeley average 92°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Greeley sees only 14.7 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (12.9°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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 Colorado after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Fresno vs Greeley?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $68,650 in Greeley vs $66,804 in Fresno — a 2.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Fresno and Greeley?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 52.1°F in Greeley vs 65.0°F in Fresno (12.9°F colder). Annual snowfall: 34.9 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 14.7 in vs 11.0 in.
How does the job market in Greeley compare to Fresno?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,140 in the Greeley MSA vs $44,530 in the Fresno MSA, on total employment of 111,210 and 408,820 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Fresno to Greeley?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1200 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Greeley compared to Fresno?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $420,464 in Greeley vs $391,328 in Fresno — a 7.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Greeley, CO from Fresno, CA?
The driving distance is 1200 mi and the route typically takes 21h 18m via I 70 and I 15. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Greeley more expensive than Fresno?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Greeley is 1.9% lower than Fresno (100.176 vs 102.158, 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 Fresno.
City profiles: Fresno, CA · Greeley, CO.