Moving from Peoria, IL to Fort Collins, CO
Relocating 935 mi from Peoria to Fort Collins is a 16h 24m drive through 5 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
935 mi · 16h 24m by car · CO → WY → NE → IA → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | CO → WY → NE → IA → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, IL 110, 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
| Peoria | Fort Collins | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.231 | 101.128 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.504 | 82.156 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.643 | 96.052 | 100.0 |
| Services | 63.763 | 120.592 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 10.8% higher cost of living — rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 10.8% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $128,838 to $563,815 moving to Fort Collins.
YoY change: Peoria +7.4%, Fort Collins -1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Peoria | Fort Collins |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 51°F |
| January avg low | 18°F | 18°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 26.2" | 51.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.6" | 15.9" |
Annual average temperatures in Peoria (52.7°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: PEORIA GTR PEORIA AP, IL US, FT COLLINS, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Peoria | Fort Collins |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,126 | 169,705 |
| Median household income | $58,716 | $83,598 |
| Median age | 35.8 | 30.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.6% | 34.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.29 | 2.4 |
Expect median household income to rise 10.8% — $58,716 → $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 — 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 26.2 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 Peoria?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,820 in the Fort Collins MSA vs $46,610 in the Peoria MSA, on total employment of 173,230 and 165,240 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Peoria 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 935 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 Peoria?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $563,815 in Fort Collins vs $128,838 in Peoria — a 337.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Fort Collins more expensive than Peoria?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fort Collins is 10.8% higher than Peoria (101.128 vs 91.231, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Fort Collins, CO from Peoria, IL?
The driving distance is 935 mi and the route typically takes 16h 24m via I 80 and IL 110. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Peoria vs Fort Collins?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $83,598 in Fort Collins vs $58,716 in Peoria — a 42.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Peoria and Fort Collins?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.7°F in Fort Collins vs 52.7°F in Peoria (2.0°F colder). Annual snowfall: 51.4 in vs 26.2 in. Annual precipitation: 15.9 in vs 37.6 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Peoria.
City profiles: Peoria, IL · Fort Collins, CO.