Fort Collins vs Memphis
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Fort Collins
Memphis
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 38.1%, with Memphis being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Fort Collins has equivalent purchasing power to $54,310 in Memphis.
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 $54,310 in Memphis.
Conversely, $75,000 in Memphis equals $103,571 in Fort Collins.
Living in Fort Collins vs Memphis
Housing Costs
Fort Collins's housing index of 142 is higher Memphis's 63, translating to median home prices of $531,000 vs $155,000. The $376,000 difference in home prices means roughly $24,444 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,625/mo in Fort Collins compared to $1,000/mo in Memphis, a monthly difference of $625.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 100 in Fort Collins and 93 in Memphis. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Fort Collins vs $442/month in Memphis. Memphis offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 87 in Fort Collins and 88 in Memphis. Monthly utility bills average approximately $348 in Fort Collins vs $352 in Memphis. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 97 in Fort Collins and 92 in Memphis. 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 $41,228 in Memphis. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $64,483 and $49,081 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 $962/month in Memphis. In Fort Collins, median rent of $1,625/mo fits within this budget. In Memphis, median rent of $1,000/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 79 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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