$40K in Fort Collins = $31,515 in McAllen
Your $40K salary in Fort Collins (COL 99) has the same purchasing power as $31,515 in McAllen (COL 78). McAllen is cheaper — your money goes 21% further there.
Budget breakdown — $40K in both cities
What $40K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | Fort Collins $40K | McAllen $40K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $2,582 | $2,728 |
| 1BR rent | $1,700 | $950 |
| Groceries | $384 | $338 |
| Transport | $55 | $35 |
| Utilities | $140 | $165 |
| Internet | $65 | $60 |
| Left after essentials | $238/month | $1,180/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $40K in Fort Collins equivalent to in McAllen?
$40K in Fort Collins (COL index 99) has the same purchasing power as $31,515 in McAllen (COL index 78). That's 21% less than your current salary.
If I move from Fort Collins to McAllen keeping my $40K salary, will I be better off?
Yes. If you keep earning $40K after moving to McAllen, you'd have $942 more per month after core expenses — because McAllen is cheaper than Fort Collins.
How is the salary equivalent calculated?
The equivalent salary is calculated by multiplying your current salary by the ratio of the two cities' overall cost of living indices: $40K × (78 ÷ 99) = $31,515. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Fort Collins to McAllen
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only