Fort Collins vs Wilmington
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Fort Collins
Wilmington
The Verdict
Wilmington is 11.5% less expensive than Fort Collins overall. A household earning $75,000 in Fort Collins would need approximately $67,241 in Wilmington 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 $67,241 in Wilmington.
Conversely, $75,000 in Wilmington equals $83,654 in Fort Collins.
Living in Fort Collins vs Wilmington
Housing Costs
Fort Collins's housing index of 142 is higher Wilmington's 104, translating to median home prices of $531,000 vs $235,000. The $296,000 difference in home prices means roughly $19,236 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,625/mo in Fort Collins compared to $1,200/mo in Wilmington, a monthly difference of $425.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 100 in Fort Collins and 103 in Wilmington. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Fort Collins vs $489/month in Wilmington. 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 106 in Wilmington. Monthly utility bills average approximately $348 in Fort Collins vs $424 in Wilmington. 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 Wilmington. 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 $46,520 in Wilmington. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $64,483 and $44,731 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 $1,085/month in Wilmington. In Fort Collins, median rent of $1,625/mo fits within this budget. In Wilmington, median rent of $1,200/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 38 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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