Moving from Naperville, IL to Fort Collins, CO
Relocating 980 mi from Naperville to Fort Collins is a 17h 16m drive through 5 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.
980 mi Β· 17h 16m by car Β· CO β WY β NE β IA β IL
Distance & route
| Route through | CO β WY β NE β IA β IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 88, IL 110 |
| 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
| Naperville | 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 |
Naperville and Fort Collins 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
Homes in Fort Collins run about 2.4% cheaper β ZHVI $610,454 β $563,815 (2026-03).
YoY change: Naperville +5.2%, Fort Collins -1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Naperville | Fort Collins |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 49Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 15Β°F | 18Β°F |
| July avg high | 84Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 51.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.2" | 15.9" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 49.2Β°F vs 50.7Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Fort Collins sees 51.4 in a year on NOAA normals β budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LISLE-MORTON ARBORETUM, IL US, FT COLLINS, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Naperville | Fort Collins |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,424 | 169,705 |
| Median household income | $150,937 | $83,598 |
| Median age | 40.1 | 30.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 38.8% | 34.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.75 | 2.4 |
Expect median household income to fall 2.4% β $150,937 β $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.
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 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.
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 β 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.
- Register to vote in Colorado after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Fort Collins compare to Naperville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,820 in the Fort Collins MSA vs $49,790 in the Naperville 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 Naperville vs Fort Collins?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $83,598 in Fort Collins vs $150,937 in Naperville β a 44.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Naperville to Fort Collins?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 980 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Fort Collins compared to Naperville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $563,815 in Fort Collins vs $610,454 in Naperville β a 7.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Fort Collins more expensive than Naperville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fort Collins is 2.4% lower than Naperville (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 Naperville, IL?
The driving distance is 980 mi and the route typically takes 17h 16m via I 80 and I 88. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Naperville.
City profiles: Naperville, IL Β· Fort Collins, CO.