Fort Collins vs Madison

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 $68,534 in Madison.

Conversely, $75,000 in Madison equals $82,075 in Fort Collins.

Living in Fort Collins vs Madison

Housing Costs

Fort Collins's housing index of 142 is higher Madison's 115, translating to median home prices of $531,000 vs $340,000. The $191,000 difference in home prices means roughly $12,420 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,625/mo in Fort Collins compared to $1,400/mo in Madison, a monthly difference of $225.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 100 in Fort Collins and 101 in Madison. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Fort Collins vs $480/month in Madison. 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 97 in Madison. Monthly utility bills average approximately $348 in Fort Collins vs $388 in Madison. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 97 in Fort Collins and 105 in Madison. 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 $67,565 in Madison. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $64,483 and $63,741 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 $1,577/month in Madison. In Fort Collins, median rent of $1,625/mo fits within this budget. In Madison, median rent of $1,400/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 27 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

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