Fort Collins vs Raleigh
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Fort Collins
Raleigh
The Verdict
Raleigh is 13.7% less expensive than Fort Collins overall. A household earning $75,000 in Fort Collins would need approximately $65,948 in Raleigh to maintain the same standard of living.
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 $65,948 in Raleigh.
Conversely, $75,000 in Raleigh equals $85,294 in Fort Collins.
Living in Fort Collins vs Raleigh
Housing Costs
Fort Collins's housing index of 142 is higher Raleigh's 107, translating to median home prices of $531,000 vs $370,000. The $161,000 difference in home prices means roughly $10,464 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,625/mo in Fort Collins compared to $1,500/mo in Raleigh, a monthly difference of $125.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 100 in Fort Collins and 100 in Raleigh. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Fort Collins vs $475/month in Raleigh. 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 94 in Raleigh. Monthly utility bills average approximately $348 in Fort Collins vs $376 in Raleigh. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 97 in Fort Collins and 108 in Raleigh. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 11-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 $67,266 in Raleigh. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $64,483 and $65,947 respectively. Raleigh residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,745/month to housing in Fort Collins vs $1,570/month in Raleigh. In Fort Collins, median rent of $1,625/mo fits within this budget. In Raleigh, median rent of $1,500/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 35 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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