Fort Collins vs Lakewood

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 $85,991 in Lakewood.

Conversely, $75,000 in Lakewood equals $65,414 in Fort Collins.

Living in Fort Collins vs Lakewood

Housing Costs

Fort Collins's housing index of 142 is lower Lakewood's 188, translating to median home prices of $531,000 vs $574,000. The $43,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,796 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,625/mo in Fort Collins compared to $1,850/mo in Lakewood, a monthly difference of $225.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 100 in Fort Collins and 101 in Lakewood. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Fort Collins vs $480/month in Lakewood. 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 85 in Lakewood. Monthly utility bills average approximately $348 in Fort Collins vs $340 in Lakewood. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 97 in Fort Collins and 84 in Lakewood. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 13-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 $83,800 in Lakewood. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $64,483 and $63,008 respectively. Fort Collins residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,745/month to housing in Fort Collins vs $1,955/month in Lakewood. In Fort Collins, median rent of $1,625/mo fits within this budget. In Lakewood, median rent of $1,850/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 46 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases