City Comparison

Fort Collins vs New Haven

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Fort Collins

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

New Haven

Connecticut
118
Above Average
$250,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$42,158
Median Income

The Verdict

1.7%

Living in Fort Collins costs 1.7% less than New Haven. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Fort Collins, you would need $76,293 in New Haven.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
142
Fort Collins
137
New Haven
Groceries
100
Fort Collins
106
New Haven
Utilities
87
Fort Collins
124
New Haven
Transportation
108
Fort Collins
102
New Haven
Healthcare
97
Fort Collins
114
New Haven

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Fort Collins has the same purchasing power as $76,293 in New Haven.

Conversely, $75,000 in New Haven equals $73,729 in Fort Collins.

Living in Fort Collins vs New Haven

Housing Costs

Fort Collins's housing index of 142 is higher New Haven's 137, translating to median home prices of $531,000 vs $250,000. The $281,000 difference in home prices means roughly $18,264 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 New Haven, a monthly difference of $225.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 100 in Fort Collins and 106 in New Haven. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Fort Collins vs $504/month in New Haven. Fort Collins offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $348/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 87 in Fort Collins and 124 in New Haven. Monthly utility bills average approximately $348 in Fort Collins vs $496 in New Haven. 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 114 in New Haven. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 17-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 $42,158 in New Haven. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $64,483 and $35,727 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 $984/month in New Haven. In Fort Collins, median rent of $1,625/mo fits within this budget. In New Haven, median rent of $1,400/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 37 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fort Collins is 1.7% more affordable overall with an index of 116 vs 118.
A $75,000 salary in Fort Collins has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $76,293 in New Haven, based on the cost of living difference.
Fort Collins's housing index is 142 with median homes at $531,000, while New Haven's is 137 with median homes at $250,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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