Fort Collins vs Springfield
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Fort Collins
Springfield
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 38.1%, with Springfield being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Fort Collins has equivalent purchasing power to $54,310 in Springfield.
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 Springfield.
Conversely, $75,000 in Springfield equals $103,571 in Fort Collins.
Living in Fort Collins vs Springfield
Housing Costs
Fort Collins's housing index of 142 is higher Springfield's 67, translating to median home prices of $531,000 vs $225,000. The $306,000 difference in home prices means roughly $19,896 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,625/mo in Fort Collins compared to $950/mo in Springfield, a monthly difference of $675.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 100 in Fort Collins and 94 in Springfield. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Fort Collins vs $447/month in Springfield. Springfield offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $336/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 87 in Fort Collins and 79 in Springfield. Monthly utility bills average approximately $348 in Fort Collins vs $316 in Springfield. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 97 in Fort Collins and 116 in Springfield. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 19-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 $46,000 in Springfield. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $64,483 and $54,762 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 $1,073/month in Springfield. In Fort Collins, median rent of $1,625/mo fits within this budget. In Springfield, median rent of $950/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 75 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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