City Comparison

Fort Collins vs Twin Falls

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Fort Collins

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

Twin Falls

Idaho
92
Below Average
$380,000
Median Home
$1,150/mo
Median Rent
$60,900
Median Income

The Verdict

26.1%

The cost gap between these cities is 26.1%, with Twin Falls being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Fort Collins has equivalent purchasing power to $59,483 in Twin Falls.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
142
Fort Collins
93
Twin Falls
Groceries
100
Fort Collins
98
Twin Falls
Utilities
87
Fort Collins
85
Twin Falls
Transportation
108
Fort Collins
96
Twin Falls
Healthcare
97
Fort Collins
94
Twin Falls

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Fort Collins has the same purchasing power as $59,483 in Twin Falls.

Conversely, $75,000 in Twin Falls equals $94,565 in Fort Collins.

Living in Fort Collins vs Twin Falls

Housing Costs

Fort Collins's housing index of 142 is higher Twin Falls's 93, translating to median home prices of $531,000 vs $380,000. The $151,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,816 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,625/mo in Fort Collins compared to $1,150/mo in Twin Falls, a monthly difference of $475.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 100 in Fort Collins and 98 in Twin Falls. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Fort Collins vs $466/month in Twin Falls. 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 85 in Twin Falls. Monthly utility bills average approximately $348 in Fort Collins vs $340 in Twin Falls. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 97 in Fort Collins and 94 in Twin Falls. 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 $60,900 in Twin Falls. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $64,483 and $66,196 respectively. Twin Falls 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 $1,421/month in Twin Falls. In Fort Collins, median rent of $1,625/mo fits within this budget. In Twin Falls, median rent of $1,150/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 49 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Twin Falls is 26.1% more affordable overall with an index of 92 vs 116.
A $75,000 salary in Fort Collins has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $59,483 in Twin Falls, based on the cost of living difference.
Fort Collins's housing index is 142 with median homes at $531,000, while Twin Falls's is 93 with median homes at $380,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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