Best overall value
Local moving companies in Fort Collins
- Exodus Moving and Storage: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- All My Sons Moving & Storage: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- American Moving & Storage: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- Square Cow: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- Little Guys Movers : 4.76 out of 5 stars
Company Info
Years in Business: 26
Alternate Names: AAA Exodus Moving and Storage Inc
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Company Info
State license #: 00544
Years in Business: 24
DOT #: 902281
Alternate Names: All My Sons of Loveland, LLC
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Antiques
- Crating
- Storage
- Safes
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
Company Info
State license #: 00612
Years in Business: 26
DOT #: 1253812
Alternate Names: AmericanMoving.com, American Moving, Man & A Van Moving, Inc.
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- International moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Art
- Antiques
- Crating
- Full-valuation coverage
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
Company Info
State license #: HHG-00479
Years in Business: 15
DOT #: 1748594
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Art
- Antiques
- Storage
Company Info
Years in Business: 32
DOT #: 1931566
Services Offered
- Local moves
- Interstate moves
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Offices
- Pianos
- Hot Tubs
- Pool Tables
- Crating
- Storage
- Pay by credit card
Factors influencing moving costs from Fort Collins to Olympia
What to know before moving from Fort Collins to Olympia
Moving from Fort Collins to Olympia comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Olympia is generally more expensive than Fort Collins, it's important to plan ahead and budget carefully for the change.
Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:
| Fort Collins | Olympia | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,750 | $1,895 |
| Average home value | $543,093 | $508,798 |
| Average income (per capita) | $64,728 | $66,492 |
| Cost of living (single person) | $2,140 | $2,473 |
| Cost of living (family of 4) | $4,795 | $5,391 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.6% | 5.6% |
| Sales tax | 7.55% | 9.4% |
| State income tax | 5.49% | 0.0% |
- You may want to budget more for rent in Olympia, since prices are typically 8% higher than in Fort Collins.
-
In terms of homeownership, you'll be able to get more for your money in Olympia.
Home prices in Olympia are 6.3% lower than in Fort Collins. - You’re likely to make a higher income living in Olympia, where incomes are, on average, 2.7% higher than in Fort Collins. Major employers in Olympia include Washington State ESD, The Evergreen State College, and Employment Security Department.
- Be sure to budget for higher bills in Olympia, since the cost of living for a single person in Olympia is 15.6% higher than in Fort Collins. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- If you're moving your family to Olympia, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Olympia is 12.4% higher than in Fort Collins.
- The unemployment rate in Olympia and Fort Collins.
- Shopping and dining out will likely be a little pricier in Olympia, since its sales taxes are 24.50% higher than what you are paying in Fort Collins.
- One perk of moving to Olympia is paying less in state income taxes, which are 100.00% lower than in Fort Collins.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,466.82 in Olympia to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Fort Collins.
How life is different in Fort Collins vs. Olympia
| Olympia | Fort Collins | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 55,605 | 169,810 |
| AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 5 | 4 |
| Walkability score | 39 | 37 |
| Bike friendliness score | 59 | 78 |
| Crime Index | 27.95 | 17.0 |
| Safety Index | 62.25 | 72.86 |
| Air Quality | Good | Good |
- Olympia might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 67% less than Fort Collins.
- Olympia offers better access to buses and trains than Fort Collins, based on public transportation ratings. Olympia has a transit score of 5 out of 10 compared to 4 in Fort Collins. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
- You'll find Olympia to be about as walkable as Fort Collins. The two cities have similar walkability scores of 39 and 37 respectively out of 100 in terms of how close housing is to businesses, recreational facilities, and jobs.
- You probably won't see as many cycling lanes or off-road trails in Olympia, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than Fort Collins. While Fort Collins has a bike-friendliness score of 78 out of 100, Olympia earned a 59. Scores are based on factors like whether a city accommodates cyclists on major roadways, how often people bike to work, and how many steep hills it has.
- The crime rate in Olympia is higher than in Fort Collins, so you may want to exercise a little extra caution as you're acclimating to your new location. While the crime index is 27.95 in Olympia, it is 17.0 in Fort Collins. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a city's crime levels.
- You may want to exercise more caution as you're getting used to your new surroundings in Olympia. With a crime index of 62.25, Olympia ranks lower in overall safety than Fort Collins, whose index is 72.86. The safety index measures how safe people in a city feel about walking alone, both during the day and at night, as well as data on muggings, theft, vandalism, and other instances of petty crime.
- The air quality in Olympia and Fort Collins is generally the same (Good). Cities with good to moderate ratings have clean or acceptable air quality, with the possibility of small pollutants affecting people with certain health conditions like asthma. Anything beyond the moderate rate means increased impact on residents.
Other things to consider for your Fort Collins vs. Olympia move
- Weather: July, August and September are the driest months in Olympia, WA and so it would be best to plan moving during these months. Snow and rain might be a challenge deo relocation during the colder months, specially during December and January.
- HOA rules: Be sure to review your community or HOA guidelines before moving day to avoid any surprises or delays.
- Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, make sure to find out how to reserve it ahead of your move.
- Truck parking permits: Many cities require special permits for parking large moving trucks. Check in advance to see if one is needed for your move.
- State licensing: Movers operating within Washington DC city limits are subject to regulation by the Utilities and Transportation Commission, which issues operating permits to household goods moving companies. Double-check that the moving company is properly licensed before you hire them.
- State regulator: You can check the status of a Washington moving license through the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: Washington doesn't require moving permits, but it's still a good idea to check local parking rules before your move-in day.
- Change of address: We suggest filing your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move. You'll be able to set your official move date, helping ensure your mail is forwarded correctly to Olympia. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: Each state has its own requirements for the level of insurance moving companies must carry. When planning a move in Washington state, explore movers' insurance options for added peace of mind. Many moving companies offer Released Value Protection at no extra cost, covering items at 60 cents per pound. Enhance your protection by discussing Full Value Protection with the moving company or exploring personalized plans with third-party insurance providers. Understand coverage limits, potential extra costs, and read reviews to make an informed decision on your Washington state moving insurance.
- Moving checklist: Use our moving checklist to stay on top of every detail and reduce last-minute stress.
Where to live in Olympia
With your sights set on Oly, these are some of the most popular neighborhoods to consider in Olympia.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- South Capitol
- Eastside
- North East
- Bigelow
- Wellington West
Best neighborhoods for families
- Bigelow Highlands
- Holiday Hills
- Indian Creek
- Carlyon-North
- Wellington West
Things to do in Olympia
After settling into your new Washington home, you'll want to branch out and explore your new city. Luckily, Olympia has lots to offer, no matter what you're interested in:
- Arts and culture: Olympia is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the Hands On Children's Museum, Olympic Flight Museum, WET Science Center, Bigelow House Museum, and Childhood's End Gallery.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, Squaxin Park, Percival Landing, and Tolmie State Park — among other sites — are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.'
- Sports: Catch a live game and cheer on the home team at an game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Fort Collins to Olympia?
Spring and fall are the ideal times to move from Fort Collins to Olympia You'll benefit from more comfortable weather and avoid the higher prices that come with peak moving season in Fort Collins.
When is the cheapest time to move from Fort Collins to Olympia?
Because spring and fall moves from Fort Collins to Olympia are so common, winter can be a great time to move if you're looking for lower prices. Read our moving discounts guide to see how.
How long does a move from Fort Collins to Olympia take?
The 1,282-mile journey from Fort Collins, CO to Olympia, WA, typically takes three to eight days. Some movers in Fort Collins offer expedited services if you're on a tight schedule, and if you need extra time, be sure to ask about storage options in Olympia.
