Fort Collins vs Tacoma
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Fort Collins
Tacoma
The Verdict
Fort Collins is 0.9% less expensive than Tacoma overall. A household earning $75,000 in Fort Collins would need approximately $75,647 in Tacoma 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 $75,647 in Tacoma.
Conversely, $75,000 in Tacoma equals $74,359 in Fort Collins.
Living in Fort Collins vs Tacoma
Housing Costs
Fort Collins's housing index of 142 is higher Tacoma's 140, translating to median home prices of $531,000 vs $400,000. The $131,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,520 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,625/mo in Fort Collins compared to $1,600/mo in Tacoma, a monthly difference of $25.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 100 in Fort Collins and 105 in Tacoma. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Fort Collins vs $499/month in Tacoma. 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 108 in Tacoma. Monthly utility bills average approximately $348 in Fort Collins vs $432 in Tacoma. 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 106 in Tacoma. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 9-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 $58,974 in Tacoma. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $64,483 and $50,405 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 $1,376/month in Tacoma. In Fort Collins, median rent of $1,625/mo fits within this budget. In Tacoma, median rent of $1,600/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 21 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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