| Index | Fort Collins | Colorado | National |
| Cost of living | 134 | 115 | 100 |
| Groceries | 105 | 104 | 100 |
| Health care | 106 | 107 | 100 |
| Housing | 196 | 136 | 100 |
| Transportation | 105 | 106 | 100 |
| Utilities | 106 | 108 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 110 | 107 | 100 |
| Household Items | 107 | 105 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 112 | 111 | 100 |
Getting a feel for the cost of living in Fort Collins is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Fort Collins is 134, which is 34% higher than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.
If you prioritize affordability when seeking a new place to live, Fort Collins may not be your ideal choice, as it ranks among the most expensive locations in the entire United States. A very small amount of areas exhibit a cost of living at least 20% higher than the national average, and unfortunately, Fort Collins falls into this category, which may not align with your preferences for a budget-friendly living environment.
When it comes to the cost of living in Fort Collins, housing costs are a real heavyweight, often hogging a significant chunk of your earnings. Sadly, in this area, housing expenses for both buying and renting were 96.1% more expensive compared to your average city. That means you'll be shelling out more for homes, rents, mortgage rates and insurance.
The most insightful perspective on a city comes from its residents. We recently surveyed 49 locals to gauge their perception of the cost of living in Fort Collins. The feedback revealed that 24% of respondents found the cost of living to be reasonable, with prices on the decline, while 76% regarded it as notably expensive with prices that continue to rise.
Wondering if Fort Collins is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Fort Collins, for example, the median home price is 118.1% higher than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 44.9% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Fort Collins boasting a median household income of $102,976, which is 26.6% higher than the national average.
Groceries: The costs associated with groceries have witnessed substantial increases over the past 2-3 years. In select markets, food prices have escalated by more than 20% during this timeframe, whereas others have seen more restrained upticks. The variances in food expenses can exert a considerable influence on the overall cost of living in a given locale. In Fort Collins, the groceries index is 4.5% higher than the national average.
Healthcare: Healthcare expenditures and insurance premium rates can vary significantly, contingent upon the particular city or state. Factors such as the accessibility of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs, and expenses related to specialized medical care can all have an impact on the overall cost of living. In Fort Collins, healthcare costs are 6.4% higher than the national average.
Taxes: Cities that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an escalated cost of living. The added expense of taxes on everyday goods like clothing and food naturally results in higher overall costs. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can further elevate the cost of living. In Fort Collins, the general sales tax rate starts at 2.9%, and income tax rates begin at 4.4%.
The cost of living estimates displayed for Fort Collins are modeled using a U.S. average baseline of 100, helping provide a useful comparison of local living expenses. Housing calculations include U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are AI-assisted estimates based on regional cost patterns, climate, transportation, and everyday spending expectations. These values are intended for directional comparisons across cities.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
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| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $146,237 | $12,186 | $3,412 | $4,388 |
| Renters | $65,215 | $5,435 | $1,522 | $1,957 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Colorado | 2.9% | 10% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Colorado | 4.4% | 4.4% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Laporte, CO | 2,365 | 120 | 20.4% |
| Loveland, CO | 84,816 | 128 | 28.0% |
| Severance, CO | 5,738 | 131 | 30.8% |
| Wellington, CO | 8,869 | 133 | 33.4% |
| Windsor, CO | 24,324 | 137 | 37.4% |
| Fort Collins, CO | 172,375 | 134 | 33.5% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Corona, CA | 173,134 | 154 | 54.0% |
| Cary, NC | 173,346 | 125 | 24.6% |
| Springfield, MO | 173,433 | 88 | 12.2% |
| Sherbrooke, QC | 170,686 | n/a | |
| Oshawa, ON | 176,009 | n/a | |
| Fort Collins, CO | 172,375 | 134 | 33.5% |
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