Fruita, CO vs Manitou Springs, CO

Fruita is moderately more affordable than Manitou Springs, with a 12.2% lower cost of living index. Fruita scores 101 compared to 115 for Manitou Springs, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Manitou Springs can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Fruita is $1,275/month compared to $1,175/month in Manitou Springs — a 9% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Manitou Springs has cheaper rent, Fruita actually has lower median home values ($361,500 vs $545,800).

Median household income in Fruita is $77,680 compared to $76,550 in Manitou Springs (+1.5%). Fruita offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Fruita spend roughly 19.7% of their income on rent, more than the 18.4% in Manitou Springs.