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Cost of Living in Fort Collins, CO

Population 170,229 · Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates

Median rent$1,690
Median home value$577,900
Median household income$85,070

The median rent in Fort Collins, CO is $1,690/month, 4% lower than the Colorado median and 20% higher than the U.S. median. The median home value is $577,900, 74% higher than the national median. Households earn a median of $85,070 a year, 11% lower than the state median.

Affordability

Rent as a share of median income: 23.8%
Income needed for median rent (30% rule): $67,600/yr
Home price-to-income ratio: 6.8×
Est. mortgage on the median home (20% down, 6.5% for 30 yrs, principal + interest): $2,922/mo

Run your own numbers: mortgage calculator · hourly to salary

Fort Collins vs. Colorado vs. U.S.

Fort CollinsColoradoU.S.
Median rent$1,690$1,761$1,413
Median home value$577,900$539,400$332,700
Median household income$85,070$95,470$80,734
Homeownership rate51.6%66.2%65.2%
Bachelor's degree or higher60.7%45.7%35.7%
Poverty rate15.8%9.4%12.5%
Unemployment rate5.4%4.6%5.2%
Work from home22.0%21.0%15.1%
Median age30.937.738.9

FAQ

What is the average rent in Fort Collins, CO?

The median gross rent in Fort Collins, CO is $1,690 per month (ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimate).

How much do I need to earn to live in Fort Collins, CO?

Using the common 30% rule, renting a median-priced home takes about $67,600 a year in gross income.

Is Fort Collins, CO expensive to live in?

Rent there is 20% higher than the U.S. median, and the median home costs about 6.8 times the median household income.

Other cities in Colorado

Denver, CORent $1,831 · Income $94,718Colorado Springs, CORent $1,648 · Income $84,818Aurora, CORent $1,835 · Income $88,368Lakewood, CORent $1,806 · Income $89,792Thornton, CORent $1,895 · Income $103,088Arvada, CORent $1,888 · Income $117,348

Cities with a similar cost of living

Langley Park, MDRent $1,707 · Income $85,321Carmichael, CARent $1,702 · Income $85,914Wheeling, ILRent $1,663 · Income $85,205Tacoma, WARent $1,676 · Income $85,884Bayonne, NJRent $1,682 · Income $83,887Atlanta, GARent $1,711 · Income $85,652

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates. Estimates have margins of error, especially for smaller places. This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.

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