Fort Collins, CO vs Thornton, CO

Fort Collins, CO and Thornton, CO have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.6% difference in their overall index. Fort Collins scores 129 while Thornton scores 131 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Fort Collins is $1,661/month compared to $1,810/month in Thornton — a 8% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Fort Collins has cheaper rent, Thornton actually has lower median home values ($482,200 vs $548,400).

Median household income in Fort Collins is $83,598 compared to $100,985 in Thornton (-17.2%). While Thornton is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Fort Collins spend roughly 23.8% of their income on rent, more than the 21.5% in Thornton.