Cost of Living in Fort Collins, CO
Updated November 2026 · Larimer County · Fort Collins-Loveland, CO metro area · population 170,229
Prices in Fort Collins are 1.5% above the US average (local index 101.5; the BEA index for the Fort Collins-Loveland, CO metro area is 101.1), with local housing the biggest cost driver at 116.6; a single adult's modelled budget is about $3,006 a month and the median rent is $1,690.
Prices by category
CostLiving local estimate. 100 = US average; 110 means prices are 10% higher. Housing reflects Fort Collins's own median rent compared with the area's average rent; goods, utilities and other services are BEA's official price parities for the Fort Collins-Loveland, CO metro area, unchanged.
Fort Collins price index by category, US average = 100: All items 101.5, Housing (rents) 116.6, Goods 96.1, Utilities 82.2, Other services 99.8
It is the 20th most expensive of the 26 Colorado cities in our data. Cheaper than 53% of the cities we cover.
| BEA index | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 102.2 | 98.5 | 97.6 | 98.2 | 97.3 | 101.1 |
Monthly budget by household type
1 adult · 1-bedroom · modelled estimate for Fort Collins, CO
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $1,381 | $16,572 | 46% |
| Utilities | $208 | $2,496 | 7% |
| Food at home | $271 | $3,252 | 9% |
| Transportation | $633 | $7,596 | 21% |
| Health care | $351 | $4,212 | 12% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $162 | $1,944 | 5% |
| Total | $3,006 | $36,072 | 100% |
2 adults · 2-bedroom · modelled estimate for Fort Collins, CO
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $1,567 | $18,804 | 34% |
| Utilities | $331 | $3,972 | 7% |
| Food at home | $500 | $6,000 | 11% |
| Transportation | $1,254 | $15,048 | 27% |
| Health care | $650 | $7,800 | 14% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $320 | $3,840 | 7% |
| Total | $4,622 | $55,464 | 100% |
2 adults + 2 children · 3-bedroom · modelled estimate for Fort Collins, CO
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $1,974 | $23,688 | 34% |
| Utilities | $403 | $4,836 | 7% |
| Food at home | $713 | $8,556 | 12% |
| Transportation | $1,667 | $20,004 | 29% |
| Health care | $606 | $7,272 | 10% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $412 | $4,944 | 7% |
| Total | $5,775 | $69,300 | 100% |
Modelled estimate of basic costs, excluding taxes, child care and savings. Housing is rent excluding tenant-paid utilities (counted under utilities). See how the budget is calculated.
Housing costs in Fort Collins
Rent by number of bedrooms
| Size | Median rent |
|---|---|
| Studio | $1,453 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,473 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,672 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,106 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,785 |
Median rent: Census ACS 2020-2024 median gross rent by bedrooms (rent plus tenant-paid utilities, all renters).
Rent, home values and affordability
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,690 |
| Median contract rent (excl. utilities) | $1,584 |
| Median home value | $577,900 |
| Owner costs with a mortgage | $2,287/mo |
| Median household income | $85,070 |
| Rent as % of renter income Expensive | 33.7% |
| Home value ÷ household income Very expensive | 6.8× |
Census ACS 5-year 2020-2024.
Electricity and gas prices
Residential electricity in Colorado
17.17¢ per kWh, August 2026
12-month change: +5.9% (from 16.21¢) · US 18.16¢
Average household uses 679 kWh a month in Colorado ≈ $113/month. Source: EIA-861M (statewide average).
Regular gasoline
$4.07 per gallon, week of 2026-11-02
12-month change: +50.1% (from $2.71) · US $4.15
EIA weekly retail price survey.
Inflation in the West
Consumer prices in the West Census region rose +3.4% in the 12 months to September 2026 (US +3.7%). Nationally, food at home changed +1.8%, shelter +3.2% and energy +20.4%. Source: BLS CPI-U, not seasonally adjusted. CPI is published for regions and large metro areas, so the regional figure is shown.
Salary equivalent
Because prices in Fort Collins are 1.5% above the US average, $60,000 here has the buying power of about $59,100 in an average-priced US area.
Formula: US-equivalent = salary × 100 ÷ 101.5. Based on the local cost index (CostLiving estimate from BEA RPP and Census rents); taxes not included.
Nearby cities
| City | Distance | Index | Budget (single) | Median rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loveland, CO | 9 mi | 102.0 | $3,018 | $1,730 |
| Greeley, CO | 18 mi | 96.1 | $2,609 | $1,388 |
| Longmont, CO | 26 mi | 106.6 | $3,153 | $1,816 |
| Boulder, CO | 38 mi | 109.5 | $3,277 | $2,018 |
| Broomfield, CO | 41 mi | 111.4 | $3,423 | $2,126 |
| Cheyenne, WY | 42 mi | 96.6 | $2,392 | $1,118 |
Cities with a similar cost of living
| City | Index | Budget (single) | Median rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia, PA | 101.5 | $2,782 | $1,397 |
| Smyrna, GA | 101.6 | $3,075 | $1,739 |
| Medford, OR | 101.6 | $2,692 | $1,376 |
| Cranston, RI | 101.6 | $2,743 | $1,375 |
| Port Charlotte, FL | 101.6 | $2,549 | $1,553 |
| Burlington, VT | 101.4 | $3,038 | $1,649 |
Compare Fort Collins with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Fort Collins, CO an expensive place to live?
Fort Collins has a local cost of living index of 101.5, which is 1.5% above the US average. This CostLiving estimate starts from the BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Fort Collins-Loveland, CO metro area (101.1) and adjusts housing to Fort Collins's own rents. It is 1.5 points below the Colorado average. It is the 20th most expensive of the 26 Colorado cities in our data. Cheaper than 53% of the cities we cover.
How much money do you need to live in Fort Collins?
Our modelled estimate of basic monthly costs is $3,006 for a single adult, $4,622 for a couple and $5,775 for a family of four, before taxes, child care and savings. A $60,000 salary in an average-priced US area buys about the same as $60,900 in Fort Collins.
What is the average rent in Fort Collins?
The median gross rent (rent plus tenant-paid utilities) is $1,690 a month (Census ACS 2020-2024). By size: 1 bedroom $1,473, 2 bedrooms $1,672, 3 bedrooms $2,106. The typical renter spends 33.7% of household income on rent (expensive).
How much does a house cost in Fort Collins?
The median owner-estimated home value is $577,900, 6.8 times the median household income of $85,070 (very expensive). Owners with a mortgage pay a median $2,287 a month in housing costs.
How much is electricity and gas in Fort Collins?
Colorado residential electricity averaged 17.17¢ per kWh in August 2026 (US 18.16¢). Regular gasoline was $4.07 a gallon (Colorado average, week of 2026-11-02).
Sources and notes
- Local cost index: CostLiving estimate from BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Fort Collins-Loveland, CO metropolitan statistical area (BEA index 101.1) with housing from Census ACS median rent (city figure); see the methodology.
- Rents, home values, income, population: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year 2020-2024, Census place 0827425 (Fort Collins city).
- Electricity: EIA-861M, Colorado residential average, August 2026.
- Gasoline: EIA weekly retail regular gasoline, Colorado, week of 2026-11-02.
- Inflation: BLS CPI-U West region, September 2026.
- Budget baselines: BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey 2025; electricity use by household size: EIA RECS 2020.
Labels such as “county figure” or “state nonmetro figure” mark values that come from a larger area because the city-level figure is unavailable or unreliable. The monthly budget is a modelled estimate, not observed spending, and excludes taxes. This page is for general information and is not financial advice. Methodology · All sources