Fort Collins wins overall by ~19% (COL index)
Cost of living: Fort Collins vs Denver (2026)
A $73,500 salary in Fort Collins buys roughly what $90,576 does in Denver (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
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Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
+$5,816/yr
Favoring Fort Collins for this income & household (illustrative).
With the extra $485/mo, you could pay down a $15,000 card balance in ~31 months and still keep ~$58/mo for dining out.
Studio rent/mo
1BR rent/mo
2BR rent/mo
Median home price
Groceries index (100 = US avg)
Budget meal (1 person)
Mid-range dinner (2)
Monthly transit pass/mo
Gas price/gal
Car insurance/mo
Monthly utilities bundle/mo
Internet/mo
Median household income/yr
State income tax%
Sales tax (combined)%
Movie ticket
Gym membership/mo
Beer at restaurant
Overall COL index (100 = US avg)
Walk score / 100
| Category | Fort Collins Colorado | Denver Colorado | Who wins | Your impact at $74K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $1,350Wins | $1,600 | Fort wins +$250/mo | $3,000/yr saves in Fort |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,700Wins | $2,000 | Fort wins +$300/mo | $3,600/yr saves in Fort |
| 2BR rent/mo | $2,250Wins | $2,700 | Fort wins +$450/mo | $5,400/yr saves in Fort |
| Median home price | $520KBetter | $530K | Fort wins +$10K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 101Better | 102 | Fort wins +1 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $14Better | $15 | Fort wins +$1/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $60Better | $65 | Fort wins +$5/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $55Wins | $114 | Fort wins +$59/mo | $708/yr saves in Fort |
| Gas price/gal | $3.40 | $3.30Better | Denver wins −$0.10 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $140Better | $155 | Fort wins +$15/mo | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $140Better | $140 | — | — |
| Internet/mo | $65Better | $65 | — | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $72K | $75KBetter | Denver wins +$3K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 4.4%Better | 4.4% | — | — |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 7.5%Wins | 8.8% | Fort wins +1.3 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $15.00Better | $16.00 | Fort wins +$1.00 | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $42Wins | $50 | Fort wins +$8/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $6.50Better | $7.00 | Fort wins +$0.50 | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 99Wins | 122 | Fort wins +23 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 36 | 60Wins | Denver wins +24 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Maximize everyday spend in your new city
Fort Collins fits your move math — cash-back cards stack on groceries, gas, and dining you're already doing.
Home + auto bundle
New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in Fort Collins.
High-yield savings
Park ~$3,600/yr rent savings at 4–5%+ APY
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
More ways to compare this move
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Frequently asked questions
Is Fort Collins cheaper than Denver?
Yes. Fort Collins is 19% cheaper than Denver based on overall cost of living indices (99 vs 122, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Fort Collins vs Denver?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Fort Collins is $1,700/month and in Denver is $2,000/month. Fort Collins is cheaper by 15%.
How much do I need to earn in Denver to match a $75,000 salary in Fort Collins?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $92,424/year in Denver to match a $75,000 salary in Fort Collins. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Fort Collins or Denver?
Denver has the lower state income tax rate at 4.4% vs 4.4%. The difference is 0.0 percentage points. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Fort Collins to Denver?
It depends on your priorities. Fort Collins offers lower overall costs, but both cities have different job markets, weather, and lifestyle trade-offs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
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