City Comparison

Fort Collins vs Killeen

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Fort Collins

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

Killeen

Texas
84
Very Affordable
$235,000
Median Home
$975/mo
Median Rent
$56,400
Median Income

The Verdict

38.1%

The cost gap between these cities is 38.1%, with Killeen being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Fort Collins has equivalent purchasing power to $54,310 in Killeen.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
142
Fort Collins
56
Killeen
Groceries
100
Fort Collins
96
Killeen
Utilities
87
Fort Collins
108
Killeen
Transportation
108
Fort Collins
95
Killeen
Healthcare
97
Fort Collins
96
Killeen

Salary Equivalence

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

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

Living in Fort Collins vs Killeen

Housing Costs

Fort Collins's housing index of 142 is higher Killeen's 56, translating to median home prices of $531,000 vs $235,000. The $296,000 difference in home prices means roughly $19,236 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,625/mo in Fort Collins compared to $975/mo in Killeen, a monthly difference of $650.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 100 in Fort Collins and 96 in Killeen. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Fort Collins vs $456/month in Killeen. 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 108 in Killeen. Monthly utility bills average approximately $348 in Fort Collins vs $432 in Killeen. 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 96 in Killeen. 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 $56,400 in Killeen. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $64,483 and $67,143 respectively. Killeen 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 $1,316/month in Killeen. In Fort Collins, median rent of $1,625/mo fits within this budget. In Killeen, median rent of $975/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 86 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Killeen 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 Killeen, based on the cost of living difference.
Fort Collins's housing index is 142 with median homes at $531,000, while Killeen's is 56 with median homes at $235,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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