City Comparison

Concord vs Fort Collins

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Concord

California
147
Expensive
$680,000
Median Home
$2,350/mo
Median Rent
$109,000
Median Income

Fort Collins

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

The Verdict

26.7%

Living in Fort Collins costs 26.7% less than Concord. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Concord, you would need $59,184 in Fort Collins.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
210
Concord
142
Fort Collins
Groceries
112
Concord
100
Fort Collins
Utilities
147
Concord
87
Fort Collins
Transportation
137
Concord
108
Fort Collins
Healthcare
121
Concord
97
Fort Collins

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Concord has the same purchasing power as $59,184 in Fort Collins.

Conversely, $75,000 in Fort Collins equals $95,043 in Concord.

Living in Concord vs Fort Collins

Housing Costs

Concord's housing index of 210 is higher Fort Collins's 142, translating to median home prices of $680,000 vs $531,000. The $149,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,684 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,350/mo in Concord compared to $1,625/mo in Fort Collins, a monthly difference of $725.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 112 in Concord and 100 in Fort Collins. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $532/month in Concord vs $475/month in Fort Collins. Fort Collins offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $684/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 147 in Concord and 87 in Fort Collins. Monthly utility bills average approximately $588 in Concord 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 121 in Concord and 97 in Fort Collins. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 24-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $109,000 in Concord and $74,800 in Fort Collins. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $74,150 and $64,483 respectively. Concord residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,543/month to housing in Concord vs $1,745/month in Fort Collins. In Concord, median rent of $2,350/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 68 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fort Collins is 26.7% more affordable overall with an index of 116 vs 147.
A $75,000 salary in Concord has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $59,184 in Fort Collins, based on the cost of living difference.
Concord's housing index is 210 with median homes at $680,000, while Fort Collins's is 142 with median homes at $531,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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