Factors influencing moving costs from Des Moines to Fort Collins
What to know before moving from Des Moines to Fort Collins
Moving from Des Moines to Fort Collins comes with exciting new opportunities โ but also higher living costs. Since Fort Collins is generally more expensive than Des Moines, itโs 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:
Des Moines | Fort Collins | |
---|---|---|
Average rent cost | $1,150 | $1,750 |
Average home value | $192,347 | $543,093 |
Average income (per capita) | $58,492 | $64,728 |
Cost of living (single person) | $1,891 | $2,140 |
Cost of living (family of 4) | $4,380 | $4,795 |
Unemployment rate | 5.9% | 5.6% |
Sales tax | 7.0% | 7.55% |
State income tax | 4.4% | 5.49% |
- Rent prices in Fort Collins are 52% higher than in Des Moines, which means youโll have less money in your pocket each month.
-
In terms of homeownership, youโll be able to get more for your money in Des Moines.
Home prices in Fort Collins are 182.4% higher than in Des Moines. - Income in Fort Collins is 10.7% higher than in Des Moines, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in Fort Collins include Advanced Energy Industries, RIMROCK, and Woodward.
- Be sure to budget for higher bills in Fort Collins, since the cost of living for a single person in Fort Collins is 13.2% higher than in Des Moines. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- If youโre moving your family to Fort Collins, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Fort Collins is 9.5% higher than in Des Moines.
- The unemployment rate in Fort Collins is 5.08% lower than in Des Moines.
- Youโll spend more on retail and restaurants in Fort Collins, since the cityโs sales taxes in Fort Collins are 7.86% higher than in Des Moines.
- State income taxes in Fort Collins are 24.77% higher than in Des Moines.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,395.03 in Fort Collins to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Des Moines.
How life is different in Des Moines vs. Fort Collins
Fort Collins | Des Moines | |
---|---|---|
Population | 169,810 | 699,292 |
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 4 | 5 |
Walkability score | 37 | 45 |
Bike friendliness score | 78 | 39 |
Crime Index | 17.0 | 5.0 |
Safety Index | 72.86 | 57.8 |
Air Quality | Good | Good |
- Fort Collins's population is about 76% less than Des Moines.
- Fort Collins's public transportation has a score of 4 out of 10 versus Des Moines's higher score of 5.
- Fort Collins is less walkable than Des Moines with a score of 37 out of 100 vs Des Moines's 45 out of 100.
- With a score of 78 out of 100, Fort Collins is more bike-friendly than Des Moines, which has a score of 39 out of 100. The higher a city's score, the more suited they are to safely accommodating cyclists.
- Fort Collins's crime rate is higher than Des Moines with a score of 17.0 compared to Des Moines's 5.0. This means that Fort Collins neighborhoods are safer than 17.0% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0%.
- Fort Collins is considered to be safer than Des Moines with a safety index of 72.86 vs Des Moines's 57.8.
- Air quality in Fort Collins is good, and in Des Moines it's good.
Other things to consider for your Des Moines vs. Fort Collins move
- Weather: August, June and September are the best months to move in Fort Collins, while December and January are the least comfortable months. Summers in Fort Collins can be mild to hot. Winters can be relatively tolerable as well.
- HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
- Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move day.
- Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
- State licensing: The Colorado Public Utilities Commission (COPUC) regulates local and intrastate moving service providers in Colorado. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
- State regulator: You can verify a Colorado moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving permits: Colorado does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
- Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Fort Collins. Get started here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance.Choose Released Value Protection for its cost-free advantage, provided by movers with minimal coverage. Under this option, the mover's responsibility is capped at 60 cents per pound per article. For instance, if your mover lost or damaged a valuable item, you would only receive compensation based on this limited valuation. If you seek comprehensive coverage for your items' full value, discuss alternative options with the moving company you're hiring or explore third-party insurance providers.
- Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.
Where to live in Fort Collins
Now that you've decided to make the move to "Fort Collins", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Fort Collins.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Old Town
- City Park
- Ram's Village
- Harmony Crossing
Best neighborhoods for families
- Old Town
- City Park
- Huntington Hills
- Harmony Crossing
Things to do in Fort Collins
After settling into your new Colorado home, youโll want to branch out and explore your new city. Luckily, Fort Collins has lots to offer, no matter what youโre interested in:
- Arts and culture: Fort Collins is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the Totally 80's Pizza & Museum, Fort Collins Museum of Discovery, Global Village Museum of Arts and Cultures, Museum of Art Fort Collins, and Center for Fine Art Photography.
- Outdoor recreation: The cityโs Cache La Poudre River, Horsetooth Mountain Open Space, Annual Flower Trial Garden, and Spring Canyon Community Park โ among other sites โ are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.
- Sports: Catch a live game and cheer on the home team at an Colorado State Rams (Mountain West) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Des Moines to Fort Collins?
The best time to move from Des Moines to Fort Collins is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in Des Moines.
When is the cheapest time to move from Des Moines to Fort Collins?
Because most people are moving from Des Moines to Fort Collins in the spring or fall, you can often catch discounts by moving in the winter. Read our guide on moving discounts to learn more.
How long does a move from Des Moines to Fort Collins take?
The 649-mile move from Des Moines, IA, to Fort Collins, CO, takes one to six days. Some Des Moines movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in Fort Collins.