City Comparison

Fort Collins vs Oklahoma City

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Fort Collins

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

Oklahoma City

Oklahoma
87
Below Average
$195,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$55,458
Median Income

The Verdict

33.3%

The cost gap between these cities is 33.3%, with Oklahoma City being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Fort Collins has equivalent purchasing power to $56,250 in Oklahoma City.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
142
Fort Collins
68
Oklahoma City
Groceries
100
Fort Collins
95
Oklahoma City
Utilities
87
Fort Collins
92
Oklahoma City
Transportation
108
Fort Collins
100
Oklahoma City
Healthcare
97
Fort Collins
92
Oklahoma City

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Fort Collins has the same purchasing power as $56,250 in Oklahoma City.

Conversely, $75,000 in Oklahoma City equals $100,000 in Fort Collins.

Living in Fort Collins vs Oklahoma City

Housing Costs

Fort Collins's housing index of 142 is higher Oklahoma City's 68, translating to median home prices of $531,000 vs $195,000. The $336,000 difference in home prices means roughly $21,840 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 Oklahoma City, a monthly difference of $625.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 100 in Fort Collins and 95 in Oklahoma City. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Fort Collins vs $451/month in Oklahoma City. 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 92 in Oklahoma City. Monthly utility bills average approximately $348 in Fort Collins vs $368 in Oklahoma City. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 97 in Fort Collins and 92 in Oklahoma City. 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 $55,458 in Oklahoma City. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $64,483 and $63,745 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 $1,294/month in Oklahoma City. In Fort Collins, median rent of $1,625/mo fits within this budget. In Oklahoma City, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 74 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Oklahoma City is 33.3% more affordable overall with an index of 87 vs 116.
A $75,000 salary in Fort Collins has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $56,250 in Oklahoma City, based on the cost of living difference.
Fort Collins's housing index is 142 with median homes at $531,000, while Oklahoma City's is 68 with median homes at $195,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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