Fort Collins vs Surprise
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Fort Collins
Surprise
The Verdict
Surprise is 12.6% less expensive than Fort Collins overall. A household earning $75,000 in Fort Collins would need approximately $66,595 in Surprise 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 $66,595 in Surprise.
Conversely, $75,000 in Surprise equals $84,466 in Fort Collins.
Living in Fort Collins vs Surprise
Housing Costs
Fort Collins's housing index of 142 is higher Surprise's 105, translating to median home prices of $531,000 vs $419,000. The $112,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,284 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,625/mo in Fort Collins compared to $1,575/mo in Surprise, a monthly difference of $50.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 100 in Fort Collins and 100 in Surprise. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Fort Collins vs $475/month in Surprise. 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 102 in Surprise. Monthly utility bills average approximately $348 in Fort Collins vs $408 in Surprise. 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 97 in Surprise. 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 $85,500 in Surprise. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $64,483 and $83,010 respectively. Surprise 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 $1,995/month in Surprise. In Fort Collins, median rent of $1,625/mo fits within this budget. In Surprise, median rent of $1,575/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 37 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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