Fort Collins vs Kent
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Fort Collins
Kent
The Verdict
Living in Fort Collins costs 15.3% less than Kent. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Fort Collins, you would need $88,578 in Kent.
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 $88,578 in Kent.
Conversely, $75,000 in Kent equals $63,504 in Fort Collins.
Living in Fort Collins vs Kent
Housing Costs
Fort Collins's housing index of 142 is lower Kent's 195, translating to median home prices of $531,000 vs $595,000. The $64,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,164 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,625/mo in Fort Collins compared to $1,750/mo in Kent, a monthly difference of $125.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 100 in Fort Collins and 109 in Kent. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Fort Collins vs $518/month in Kent. Fort Collins offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 87 in Fort Collins and 92 in Kent. Monthly utility bills average approximately $348 in Fort Collins vs $368 in Kent. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 97 in Fort Collins and 122 in Kent. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 25-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 $98,300 in Kent. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $64,483 and $71,752 respectively. Kent 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 $2,294/month in Kent. In Fort Collins, median rent of $1,625/mo fits within this budget. In Kent, median rent of $1,750/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 53 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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