Fort Collins vs Fresno — side-by-side
Cost of living: Fort Collins vs Fresno (2026)
A $64,000 salary in Fort Collins buys roughly what $64,000 does in Fresno (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
Your move simulator
Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
−$215/yr
Favoring Fresno for this income & household (illustrative).
With an extra $18/mo in Fresno, you could max a Roth IRA contribution faster and still grow your savings buffer.
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 | Fresno California | Who wins | Your impact at $64K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $1,350 | $1,150Wins | Fresno wins −$200/mo | $2,400/yr saves in Fresno |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,700 | $1,450Wins | Fresno wins −$250/mo | $3,000/yr saves in Fresno |
| 2BR rent/mo | $2,250 | $1,950Wins | Fresno wins −$300/mo | $3,600/yr saves in Fresno |
| Median home price | $520K | $360KWins | Fresno wins −$160K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 101 | 100Better | Fresno wins -1 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $14Better | $14 | — | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $60 | $58Better | Fresno wins −$2/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $55Wins | $72 | Fort wins +$17/mo | — |
| Gas price/gal | $3.40Wins | $4.50 | Fort wins +$1.10 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $140Wins | $162 | Fort wins +$22/mo | $264/yr saves in Fort |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $140Better | $142 | Fort wins +$2/mo | — |
| Internet/mo | $65Better | $65 | — | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $72KWins | $56K | Fort wins −$16K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 4.4%Wins | 9.3% | Fort wins +4.9 pp | $3,136/yr saves in Fort |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 7.5%Better | 8.5% | Fort wins +1.0 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $15.00Better | $15.00 | — | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $42 | $40Better | Fresno wins −$2/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $6.50Better | $6.50 | — | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 99Better | 99 | — | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 36 | 42Wins | Fresno wins +6 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Turn ~$3,144/yr tax difference into cash back
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 ~$3,000/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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Open the full interactive tool to add up to 5 cities, drop in your salary, and see rent burden.
Open full interactive toolComplete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
If cash is tight
Knock down high-interest debt first
A move has upfront costs — a balance transfer or personal loan can lower APR while you settle in.
If you're saving big
Invest the surplus on autopilot
Brokerages and robo-advisors help you dollar-cost average into the market with your new slack.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Fort Collins vs Fresno?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Fort Collins is $1,700/month and in Fresno is $1,450/month. Fort Collins is more expensive by 17%.
How much do I need to earn in Fresno to match a $75,000 salary in Fort Collins?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $75,000/year in Fresno 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 Fresno?
Fort Collins has the lower state income tax rate at 4.4% vs 9.3%. The difference is 4.9 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 Fresno?
It depends on your priorities. Both cities have similar overall costs. 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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Salary equivalent: Fort Collins ↔ Fresno
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