Moving from Denver to Fort Collins, CO

Quick answer: Moving from Denver to Fort Collins costs $72–$4,205, depending on home size and whether you hire a moving company or move yourself. Most moves on this 65-mile route within Colorado take 1–2 days from packing to delivery, based on moveBuddha's analysis of 77+ Colorado moving companies.

  • Safeway Moving is moveBuddha's top-rated full-service pick at 4.9 out of 5 stars, our best overall value mover for this route.
  • Use moveBuddha's cost calculator to compare specific quotes for your move.

What are the best ways to move from Denver to Fort Collins?

Moving from Denver to Fort Collins doesn't have to mean hiring a full-service crew and paying top dollar. Whether you want movers to handle the whole job or you're up for tackling parts of it yourself, there's an option that fits.

For full-service moves, we recommend Safeway Moving (4.9/5).

Here's a closer look at each moving option for your 65-mile move:

Moving from Denver to Fort Collins costs between $72 and $4,205, based on moveBuddha's monthly pricing dataset. The prices below break down your 65-mile move costs by type of moving service and home size.

Move type Top pick Average cost Best for Potential downside
Full-service mover $1,223–$3,481 Movers handle loading, driving & unloading Highest price of all options
Moving container $797–$1,553 (around 30% less than full-service) Pack & load on your own schedule You handle all loading & unloading
Rental truck $86–$149 (around 60% less than full-service) Lowest upfront cost You drive, load & unload everything yourself
Labor-only $115/hr Need a loading crew & already have a truck You arrange your own transport between cities

Pricing data reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,000+ live price points and 77+ Colorado movers reviewed.

How much does it cost to move from Denver to Fort Collins?

Expect to spend between $72 and $4,205 on a Denver to Fort Collins move, based on moveBuddha's monthly pricing dataset. The 65-mile route prices below show what each moving service charges across home sizes:

  • Full-service movers: $630–$4,205
  • Moving containers: $501–$1,811
  • Rental trucks: $72–$141

What drives the cost difference?

  • Full-service moves include packing, loading, transport, and unloading. Professional packing alone adds $0.15–$0.21 per pound.
  • Moving containers cut costs by handling transport while you load and unload yourself.
  • Rental trucks save roughly 30% versus full-service, but require you to drive 65 miles and supply your own labor.
  • Using moveBuddha's cost calculator helps movers save 30% compared to their first quote.
Home size Full-service mover Moving container Rental truck
Studio / 1 bedroom $630–$2,974 $501–$995 $72–$121
2–3 bedrooms $1,223–$3,481 $797–$1,553 $86–$149
4+ bedrooms $1,585–$4,205 $947–$1,811 $99–$141

*Prices are based on moveBuddha pricing data backed by our 12 years of experience reviewing 77+ Colorado moving companies, and are updated as of May 2026. Actual costs vary based on home size, add-on services, access or parking conditions, and timing. Use a moving cost calculator and compare quotes from at least 3 movers for the most accurate number.

What extra fees should you expect on a Denver to Fort Collins move?

Extra fees to watch for on a Denver to Fort Collins move include professional packing, shuttle and access fees, and optional comprehensive contents protection plans. These rarely show up on initial quotes, but they can add 10%–25% to the base price by the time the move is done.

Here's a breakdown of some of the most common added moving costs:

Extra cost Typical range Applies to
Professional packing $0.15–$0.21 per pound Full-service movers
Loading labor $115/hr per mover Moving containers, rental trucks
Fuel surcharge $100–$400, or 8–15% of transport charges Full-service movers
Shuttle service $0.08–$0.12 per pound, $200 minimum Full-service movers
Access fees (stairs, elevators, long carry) $75–$500+ Full-service movers
Storage-in-transit ~$0.50 per cubic foot ($257/month for a 1-bedroom) Full-service movers
Bulky-item handling $150–$400 per item Full-service movers
Equipment rental $50–$200 Rental trucks
Added valuation coverage 1–2% of declared value All move types

Source: moveBuddha pricing analysis. Bulky-item charges apply to safes, sectionals, and large appliances. Storage-in-transit assumes ~514 cubic feet for a 1-bedroom home.

Best movers from Denver to Fort Collins

Safeway Moving is moveBuddha's top-rated full-service mover from Denver to Fort Collins, earning 4.9 out of 5 stars as our best overall value pick. At 65 miles, both local and national movers can handle this route well. Your best fit depends on home size, timeline, and budget.

Best movers for larger homes & complex logistics

Safeway Moving is our best overall value pick for full-service moves from Denver to Fort Collins. With 14 years in the moving industry, statewide service throughout Colorado, and a 4.9 out of 5 stars moveBuddha rating, Safeway Moving handles intrastate moves of 65 miles with the logistics infrastructure most local operators can't match.

moveBuddha's top 5 full-service movers, ranked:

  1. Safeway Moving (4.9 out of 5 stars), moveBuddha's best overall value pick.
  2. American Van Lines (4.9 out of 5 stars), moveBuddha's most experienced pick.
  3. North American Van Lines (4.8 out of 5 stars), moveBuddha's best customized plans pick.
  4. Allied Van Lines (4.2 out of 5 stars), moveBuddha's best coverage pick.
  5. Mayzlin Relocation (4.8 out of 5 stars), moveBuddha's best customer service pick.

Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Fort Collins to Denver guide.

How does Fort Collins compare to Denver?

Cost of living: Denver vs. Fort Collins

A cost-of-living comparison between Denver and Fort Collins covers more than housing. Rent, home prices, average income, daily expenses, and job market trends all factor in. The breakdown below shows how life in Fort Collins compares to Denver.

Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:

Denver Fort Collins
Average rent cost $1,900 $1,750
Average home cost $586,595 $544,203
Average income (per capita) $91,681 $83,598
Cost of living (single person) $3,392 $2,140
Cost of living (family of 4) $8,201 $4,795
Unemployment rate 7.1% 5.6%
Average sales tax 9.15% 7.55%

Cost-of-living data for Denver and Fort Collins comes from moveBuddha's city dataset, updated May 2026 across 77+ Colorado cities and metros. Methodology details are available in our moving cost methodology.

  • Rent in Fort Collins is 8% lower than Denver. Apply the savings to a larger unit, a better neighborhood, or higher monthly savings.
  • Home prices in Fort Collins are 7% lower than Denver. The discount accelerates timelines for first-time buyers and improves cash flow for trade-up moves.
  • Average income in Fort Collins is 9% lower than Denver. A same-role transfer typically requires offsetting the salary gap with cost-of-living savings.
  • Cost of living for one person in Fort Collins runs 37% cheaper than Denver. The savings rate compounds quickly if held constant.
  • Cost of living for a family of 4 in Fort Collins is 42% lower than Denver. The discount typically lands on housing and childcare, the two largest line items.
  • Unemployment in Fort Collins is 21% lower than Denver. The labor market favors workers, which translates to better offers for incoming candidates.
  • Sales taxes in Fort Collins are 17% lower than Denver. Households with larger spending profiles see the biggest savings.

To match the lifestyle you enjoy on $3,000 in Denver, you'd need about $1,890 in Fort Collins.

How life is different in Denver vs. Fort Collins

A comparison of life in Denver and Fort Collins covers weather, population, cost of living, politics, and safety. These factors all impact your daily life. The side-by-side breakdown below shows which city fits your lifestyle and priorities best.

Denver Fort Collins
Population 715,522 169,810
Political leaning Republican 49-48 Democratic 56-41
Summer high 89ºF 87ºF
Winter low 18ºF 15ºF
Annual rain 17" 16"
Annual snow 60" 48"
Crime index 47.84 17.0
  • Fort Collins is 76% smaller in size than Denver. Smaller cities typically offer lower housing costs and shorter commutes, with fewer industry options for niche careers.
  • In the last presidential election, Fort Collins voted Democratic, while Denver voted Republican.
  • Summer highs in Fort Collins (87°F) and Denver (89°F) are similar. Existing summer routines transfer.
  • Winter lows match across Denver (18°F) and Fort Collins (15°F). Existing heating bills are a reliable benchmark.
  • Annual rainfall levels match in Denver (17 inches) and Fort Collins (16 inches). Outdoor planning carries over.
  • Annual snowfall in Denver runs 60 inches, vs. 48 inches in Fort Collins. Lower snow load shortens winter and reduces seasonal expense.
  • Crime index in Fort Collins (17.0) is lower than Denver (47.84). The lower-risk profile expands feasible neighborhoods and reduces insurance carry.

Things to do in Fort Collins

Fort Collins's lifestyle is defined by outdoor recreation, museums and cultural venues, professional and college sports, and a strong university presence. Top destinations in each category appear below.

Museums in Fort Collins

  • Totally 80's Pizza & Museum
  • Fort Collins Museum of Discovery
  • Global Village Museum of Arts and Cultures
  • Museum of Art Fort Collins
  • Center for Fine Art Photography

Parks in Fort Collins

  • Cache La Poudre River
  • Horsetooth Mountain Open Space
  • Annual Flower Trial Garden
  • Spring Canyon Community Park
  • Gardens on Spring Creek

Sports teams in Fort Collins

  • Colorado State Rams (Mountain West)

Universities in Fort Collins

  • Colorado State University Fort Collins
  • Institute of Business and Medical Careers
  • College America Fort Collins

Final verdict: best movers from Denver to Fort Collins

Safeway Moving is moveBuddha's top recommendation for full-service moves from Denver to Fort Collins, earning 4.9 out of 5 stars as our best overall value pick. With 14 years in business and statewide Colorado service, it's the strongest choice for larger homes, complex logistics, or moves that benefit from full packing and loading service.

For shoppers prioritizing cost, a moving container or rental truck cuts the price by roughly 30% versus a full-service move. Total costs on this route range from $72–$4,205 depending on service type and home size. All recommendations reflect moveBuddha's analysis of 77+ Colorado movers, our monthly pricing dataset of 1,000+ live price points, and 12 years of moving industry research.

FAQs about moving from Denver to Fort Collins

How much does it cost to hire a professional moving company from Denver to Fort Collins?

A move from Denver to Fort Collins with a professional moving company costs $544–$2,593 for a few items or a small bedroom. For a 2–3 bedroom move, prices range from $1,223 up to $3,481. For a 4-bedroom home or larger, expect to pay $1,585–$4,205 for the whole move.

How much are moving container companies from Denver to Fort Collins?

Moving containers from Denver to Fort Collins cost $404–$919 for a studio or 1-bedroom home. For a 2–3 bedroom move, moving containers run $797–$1,553. A larger home costs $947–$1,811.

How much is a moving truck from Denver to Fort Collins?

A rental moving truck from Denver to Fort Collins costs $69–$117 for a studio or 1-bedroom. A 2–3 bedroom move costs $86–$149, and a 4-bedroom or larger move falls between $99 and $141.

Rental trucks are typically the most budget-friendly choice for movers willing to handle the driving and heavy lifting. The estimates above factor in estimated fuel costs.

How far in advance should I book Denver-to-Fort Collins movers?

Lock in your movers for a Denver to Fort Collins move at least 2 months ahead of time. For a summer move, aim for 3 months in advance. Early booking gives you a better shot at your ideal moving date and can land better rates. Some companies offer early-bird discounts for reservations placed ahead of time.

What time of year is the cheapest to move to Fort Collins?

The best deals on a move to Fort Collins fall between early October and late April. Skipping the busy May-to-September rush saves you money and helps you lock in better rates and more flexible scheduling.