Fort Collins, CO vs Westminster, CO

Fort Collins, CO and Westminster, CO have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.6% difference in their overall index. Fort Collins scores 129 while Westminster scores 133 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 $1,816/month in Westminster — a 9% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Fort Collins has cheaper rent, Westminster actually has lower median home values ($497,400 vs $548,400).

Median household income in Fort Collins is $83,598 compared to $96,145 in Westminster (-13.1%). While Westminster 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 22.7% in Westminster.