Moving from Greeley, CO to Fort Collins, CO
Relocating from Greeley, CO to Fort Collins, CO? The drive is 26 mi — about 40 min. Local does not always mean identical: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and NOAA climate can all shift a few percent across short distances. The sections below compare each data layer directly.
26 mi · 40 min by car · CO
Distance & route
| Route through | CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 34, I 25 |
| Major cities en route | Boulder |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Greeley | Fort Collins | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.176 | 101.128 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 81.997 | 82.156 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.052 | 96.052 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.599 | 120.592 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 100.176 vs 101.128 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 1.0% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $420,464 to $563,815 moving to Fort Collins.
YoY change: Greeley -1.6%, Fort Collins -1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Greeley | Fort Collins |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52°F | 51°F |
| January avg low | 18°F | 18°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 34.9" | 51.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 14.7" | 15.9" |
Annual average temperatures in Greeley (52.1°F) and Fort Collins (50.7°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Fort Collins averages 51.4 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: GREELEY UNC, CO US, FT COLLINS, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Greeley | Fort Collins |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 109,421 | 169,705 |
| Median household income | $68,650 | $83,598 |
| Median age | 32.5 | 30.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.9% | 34.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.81 | 2.4 |
Expect median household income to rise 1.0% — $68,650 → $83,598 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Fort Collins MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 19,130 | $46,140 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 19,060 | $39,090 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 17,830 | $35,050 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 12,630 | $79,180 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 12,170 | $84,720 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Fort Collins averages 51.4 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.
Frequently asked
What is the climate difference between Greeley and Fort Collins?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.7°F in Fort Collins vs 52.1°F in Greeley (1.4°F colder). Annual snowfall: 51.4 in vs 34.9 in. Annual precipitation: 15.9 in vs 14.7 in.
When is the best time to move from Greeley to Fort Collins?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 26 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Fort Collins compared to Greeley?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $563,815 in Fort Collins vs $420,464 in Greeley — a 34.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Fort Collins more expensive than Greeley?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fort Collins is 1.0% higher than Greeley (101.128 vs 100.176, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Fort Collins, CO from Greeley, CO?
The driving distance is 26 mi and the route typically takes 40 min via US 34 and I 25. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Fort Collins compare to Greeley?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,820 in the Fort Collins MSA vs $50,140 in the Greeley MSA, on total employment of 173,230 and 111,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Greeley vs Fort Collins?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $83,598 in Fort Collins vs $68,650 in Greeley — a 21.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Greeley.
City profiles: Greeley, CO · Fort Collins, CO.