Moving from Joliet, IL to Fort Collins, CO
The drive from Joliet, IL to Fort Collins, CO runs 978 mi — about 17h 10m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
978 mi · 17h 10m by car · CO → WY → NE → IA → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | CO → WY → NE → IA → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 25, I 280 |
| 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
| Joliet | Fort Collins | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 101.128 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 82.156 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 96.052 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 120.592 | 100.0 |
Fort Collins and Joliet are close on the overall BEA RPP (103.595 vs 101.128); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Fort Collins typical home at $563,815 is 2.4% above Joliet at $259,875 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Joliet +1.9%, Fort Collins -1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Joliet | Fort Collins |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50°F | 51°F |
| January avg low | 17°F | 18°F |
| July avg high | 84°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 16.9" | 51.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.0" | 15.9" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 50.4°F vs 50.7°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Fort Collins sees 51.4 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: JOLIET BRANDON RD DAM, IL US, FT COLLINS, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Joliet | Fort Collins |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 169,705 |
| Median household income | $88,026 | $83,598 |
| Median age | 35.3 | 30.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16% | 34.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.96 | 2.4 |
Income steps down 2.4%: $88,026 in Joliet vs $83,598 in Fort Collins.
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.
Moving between Illinois 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
- 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.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — check WYDOT 511 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 — Fort Collins averages 51.4 in annually vs 16.9 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- 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 the job market in Fort Collins compare to Joliet?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,820 in the Fort Collins MSA vs $49,790 in the Joliet MSA, on total employment of 173,230 and 4,506,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Joliet vs Fort Collins?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $83,598 in Fort Collins vs $88,026 in Joliet — a 5.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Fort Collins compared to Joliet?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $563,815 in Fort Collins vs $259,875 in Joliet — a 117.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Fort Collins more expensive than Joliet?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fort Collins is 2.4% lower than Joliet (101.128 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Fort Collins, CO from Joliet, IL?
The driving distance is 978 mi and the route typically takes 17h 10m via I 80 and I 25. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Joliet and Fort Collins?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.7°F in Fort Collins vs 50.4°F in Joliet (0.3°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 51.4 in vs 16.9 in. Annual precipitation: 15.9 in vs 38.0 in.
When is the best time to move from Joliet 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 978 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Joliet.
City profiles: Joliet, IL · Fort Collins, CO.