Burlington vs Fort Collins

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Burlington has the same purchasing power as $73,729 in Fort Collins.

Conversely, $75,000 in Fort Collins equals $76,293 in Burlington.

Living in Burlington vs Fort Collins

Housing Costs

Burlington's housing index of 139 is lower Fort Collins's 142, translating to median home prices of $380,000 vs $531,000. The $151,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,816 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,800/mo in Burlington compared to $1,625/mo in Fort Collins, a monthly difference of $175.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 108 in Burlington and 100 in Fort Collins. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $513/month in Burlington vs $475/month in Fort Collins. Fort Collins offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 115 in Burlington and 87 in Fort Collins. Monthly utility bills average approximately $460 in Burlington vs $348 in Fort Collins. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 116 in Burlington and 97 in Fort Collins. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 19-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $51,098 in Burlington and $74,800 in Fort Collins. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $43,303 and $64,483 respectively. Fort Collins residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,192/month to housing in Burlington vs $1,745/month in Fort Collins. In Burlington, median rent of $1,800/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Fort Collins, median rent of $1,625/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 28 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

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