Fort Collins vs Hampton
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Fort Collins
Hampton
The Verdict
Hampton is 31.8% less expensive than Fort Collins overall. A household earning $75,000 in Fort Collins would need approximately $56,897 in Hampton to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Fort Collins has the same purchasing power as $56,897 in Hampton.
Conversely, $75,000 in Hampton equals $98,864 in Fort Collins.
Living in Fort Collins vs Hampton
Housing Costs
Fort Collins's housing index of 142 is higher Hampton's 102, translating to median home prices of $531,000 vs $243,000. The $288,000 difference in home prices means roughly $18,720 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,625/mo in Fort Collins compared to $1,175/mo in Hampton, a monthly difference of $450.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 100 in Fort Collins and 94 in Hampton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Fort Collins vs $447/month in Hampton. Hampton offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $336/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 87 in Fort Collins and 102 in Hampton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $348 in Fort Collins vs $408 in Hampton. 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 97 in Fort Collins and 106 in Hampton. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 9-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $74,800 in Fort Collins and $59,400 in Hampton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $64,483 and $67,500 respectively. Hampton residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,745/month to housing in Fort Collins vs $1,386/month in Hampton. In Fort Collins, median rent of $1,625/mo fits within this budget. In Hampton, median rent of $1,175/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 40 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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