City Comparison

Fort Collins vs High Point

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Fort Collins

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

High Point

North Carolina
84
Very Affordable
$249,000
Median Home
$1,075/mo
Median Rent
$49,200
Median Income

The Verdict

38.1%

Living in High Point costs 38.1% less than Fort Collins. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Fort Collins, you would need $54,310 in High Point.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
142
Fort Collins
61
High Point
Groceries
100
Fort Collins
96
High Point
Utilities
87
Fort Collins
98
High Point
Transportation
108
Fort Collins
92
High Point
Healthcare
97
Fort Collins
101
High Point

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Fort Collins has the same purchasing power as $54,310 in High Point.

Conversely, $75,000 in High Point equals $103,571 in Fort Collins.

Living in Fort Collins vs High Point

Housing Costs

Fort Collins's housing index of 142 is higher High Point's 61, translating to median home prices of $531,000 vs $249,000. The $282,000 difference in home prices means roughly $18,336 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,625/mo in Fort Collins compared to $1,075/mo in High Point, a monthly difference of $550.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 100 in Fort Collins and 96 in High Point. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Fort Collins vs $456/month in High Point. 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 87 in Fort Collins and 98 in High Point. Monthly utility bills average approximately $348 in Fort Collins vs $392 in High Point. 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 101 in High Point. 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 $74,800 in Fort Collins and $49,200 in High Point. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $64,483 and $58,571 respectively. Fort Collins residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,745/month to housing in Fort Collins vs $1,148/month in High Point. In Fort Collins, median rent of $1,625/mo fits within this budget. In High Point, median rent of $1,075/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 81 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

High Point is 38.1% more affordable overall with an index of 84 vs 116.
A $75,000 salary in Fort Collins has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $54,310 in High Point, based on the cost of living difference.
Fort Collins's housing index is 142 with median homes at $531,000, while High Point's is 61 with median homes at $249,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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