Colorado Springs vs Fort Collins for Nurses (2026)
Scroll down for travel nurse analysis, rent burden, and FAQ.
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Estimated annual swing
+$2,946/yr
Favoring Colorado Springs for this income & household (illustrative).
With the extra $246/mo, you could pay down a $15,000 card balance in ~62 months and still keep ~$29/mo for dining out.
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High-yield savings
Park ~$2,946/yr savings at 4–5%+ APY
Even $246/mo extra earns meaningfully at 4–5% APY vs near-zero in checking.
Travel nursing edge
Colorado Springs: maximize take-home on your next contract
Travel nurses in Colorado Springs often keep more after housing stipends at 4.4% state tax.
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Nurse salary cost breakdown
| Metric | Colorado Springs Colorado | Fort Collins Colorado | Your impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| State income tax | 4.4%Better | 4.4% | — |
| Est. monthly take-home ($82.75K RN) | $6,592Better | $6,592 | — |
| 1BR rent / month | $1,500Better | $1,700 | $2,400/yr saves in Colorado |
| 1BR rent burden | 23%Better | 26% | — |
| Internet / month | $65Better | $65 | — |
| Monthly utilities | $145 | $140Better | — |
| Walk score | 30 / 100 | 36 / 100Better | — |
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 95Better | 99 | — |
Your biggest money opportunities based on this comparison.
Savings potential
Colorado Springs: ~$4,332/mo after rent & living
Nurses with strong take-home can build wealth fast. Compare brokers and robo-advisors to put it to work.
Renters insurance
Colorado Springs saves ~$200/mo in rent
Protect your home — nursing shifts are long and you want peace of mind when you're away.
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Mortgages
See what you can afford in Fort Collins
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Home & Auto Insurance
Bundle before you move — save 15–25%
New state means new rates. Lock in Fort Collins homeowners + auto quotes before your move date.
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Average family spends $6,200 on a move. These cards pay 2–4% back + 0% intro APR on purchases.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is better for nurses — Colorado Springs or Fort Collins?
For nurses, Colorado Springs is the stronger choice based on take-home pay after taxes, rent burden, and cost of living. The key differentiator is rent: Colorado Springs has lower 1BR rents. For travel nurses specifically, no-income-tax states are especially valuable since housing stipends are already tax-exempt — earning more in a no-tax state can be worth $3,000–$6,000/year more in take-home pay.
How much take-home pay does a nurse earn in Colorado Springs vs Fort Collins?
Based on the national average RN salary of $82,750/year, a nurse in Colorado Springs (4.4% state income tax) takes home approximately $6,592/month. In Fort Collins (4.4% state income tax), take-home is $6,592/month — a difference of $0/month or ~$0/year. Note: this calculation uses state income tax only; federal taxes are not included.
What percentage of a nurse's income goes to rent in Colorado Springs vs Fort Collins?
Financial advisors recommend keeping housing under 30% of gross income. In Colorado Springs, rent consumes 23% of a nurse's monthly take-home — very affordable, leaving significant room to save. In Fort Collins, rent burden is 26% — manageable.
Is Colorado Springs or Fort Collins better for travel nurses?
Travel nurses on assignment typically receive a base wage PLUS a tax-free housing stipend (usually $1,500–$3,000/month) that covers housing costs. For travel nurses, the state income tax on the base wage is the primary cost difference. Fort Collins (4.4% rate) is more advantageous. The housing stipend covers most rent — so the $0/month tax difference goes directly into savings, compounding over a 13-week assignment to $0 extra in take-home.
How does the cost of living affect a nurse's purchasing power in Colorado Springs vs Fort Collins?
A $82,750 nurse salary in Colorado Springs (COL 95) has the equivalent purchasing power of $86,234 in Fort Collins (COL 99). The lower-cost city effectively gives nurses a ~4% raise with no salary negotiation required — more savings, faster debt payoff, and greater financial flexibility.
Nurse salary based on national median RN wage ($82,750/year, BLS 2024). Take-home calculated using state income tax rate only; federal taxes not included. Travel nurse stipend rules vary by assignment and employer. Data: BLS, Zillow, Tax Foundation · Q1 2026