City Comparison

Cheyenne vs Fort Collins

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Cheyenne

Wyoming
95
Below Average
$280,000
Median Home
$1,100/mo
Median Rent
$57,834
Median Income

Fort Collins

Colorado
116
Above Average
$531,000
Median Home
$1,625/mo
Median Rent
$74,800
Median Income

The Verdict

18.1%

Living in Cheyenne costs 18.1% less than Fort Collins. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Cheyenne, you would need $91,579 in Fort Collins.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
85
Cheyenne
142
Fort Collins
Groceries
98
Cheyenne
100
Fort Collins
Utilities
90
Cheyenne
87
Fort Collins
Transportation
98
Cheyenne
108
Fort Collins
Healthcare
100
Cheyenne
97
Fort Collins

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Cheyenne has the same purchasing power as $91,579 in Fort Collins.

Conversely, $75,000 in Fort Collins equals $61,422 in Cheyenne.

Living in Cheyenne vs Fort Collins

Housing Costs

Cheyenne's housing index of 85 is lower Fort Collins's 142, translating to median home prices of $280,000 vs $531,000. The $251,000 difference in home prices means roughly $16,320 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Cheyenne compared to $1,625/mo in Fort Collins, a monthly difference of $525.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Cheyenne and 100 in Fort Collins. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Cheyenne vs $475/month in Fort Collins. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 90 in Cheyenne and 87 in Fort Collins. Monthly utility bills average approximately $360 in Cheyenne vs $348 in Fort Collins. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 100 in Cheyenne and 97 in Fort Collins. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $57,834 in Cheyenne and $74,800 in Fort Collins. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $60,878 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 $1,349/month to housing in Cheyenne vs $1,745/month in Fort Collins. In Cheyenne, median rent of $1,100/mo fits within this budget. In Fort Collins, median rent of $1,625/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 57 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cheyenne is 18.1% more affordable overall with an index of 95 vs 116.
A $75,000 salary in Cheyenne has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $91,579 in Fort Collins, based on the cost of living difference.
Cheyenne's housing index is 85 with median homes at $280,000, while Fort Collins's is 142 with median homes at $531,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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