salaryFort Collins is the 4th-largest city in Colorado that we track, with 170,229 residents. Rent is higher than in 60% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 6.3 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Commutes are short, about 19.5 minutes. It is a highly educated city: 60.7% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $74,120 a year. That is $36 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Colorado cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Colorado. It is number 33 of 112 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Fort Collins?
Share of households by yearly income. 32.8% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Fort Collins
| Size | Fort Collins | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,541 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,562 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,773 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,233 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,893 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Fort Collins overall?
Everyday prices in the Fort Collins-Loveland metro area are 1% above the U.S. average (index 101.1, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Fort Collins
Life in Fort Collins
What jobs pay in Fort Collins
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $149,410 | 14.9% |
| Physician Assistant | $134,260 | 16.6% |
| Software Developer | $133,990 | 16.6% |
| Lawyer | $131,380 | 16.9% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $130,330 | 17.1% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $126,880 | 17.5% |
| Dental Hygienist | $106,650 | 20.8% |
| Operations Manager | $105,770 | 21.0% |
| Firefighter | $99,930 | 22.3% |
| Registered Nurse | $97,600 | 22.8% |
| Police Officer | $96,740 | 23.0% |
| Civil Engineer | $94,720 | 23.5% |
| Accountant | $89,340 | 24.9% |
| Market Research Analyst | $74,240 | 30.0% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $68,240 | 32.6% |
| HVAC Technician | $66,290 | 33.5% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $62,930 | 35.3% |
| Electrician | $61,410 | 36.2% |
| Plumber | $60,610 | 36.7% |
| Truck Driver | $60,380 | 36.8% |
| Carpenter | $58,310 | 38.1% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $47,360 | 47.0% |
| Medical Assistant | $46,810 | 47.5% |
| Nursing Assistant | $45,970 | 48.4% |
| Customer Service Representative | $42,920 | 51.8% |
| Warehouse Worker | $41,400 | 53.7% |
| Restaurant Cook | $38,370 | 58.0% |
| Retail Salesperson | $36,640 | 60.7% |
| Cashier | $35,980 | 61.8% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Fort Collins?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $2,157 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $577,900 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $57,790 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Fort Collins, CO?
Renting in Fort Collins costs a median of about $1,853 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Colorado median is $2,080.
How much do I need to make to live in Fort Collins?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $74,120 a year, or $36 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Fort Collins cheap or expensive?
Fort Collins is rated OK: rent takes 24.2% of the typical household income of $91,748. It ranks 33rd cheapest of 112 Colorado cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Fort Collins?
The median homeowner in Fort Collins pays $2,875 a year in property taxes, about 0.50% of the median home value.
Is Fort Collins more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 1% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Fort Collins?
The median home value in Fort Collins is $577,900, about 6.3 times the typical yearly household income.
170,229 people live in Fort Collins. Numbers are typical (middle) values.