CostIndexUSA

Boston, MA vs Fort Collins, CO Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

MA
Boston
108.3
overall index
$3,050/mo rent
More AffordableCO
Fort Collins
101.1
overall index
$1,875/mo rent

Fort Collins is moderately cheaper than Boston — 6.6% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Boston, you would need $74,700 in Fort Collins. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing18.7%
Boston
148.4
Fort Collins
120.6
🛒 Groceries3.6%
Boston
99.7
Fort Collins
96.1
🚗 Transportation3.7%
Boston
108.8
Fort Collins
104.8
🏥 Healthcare3.7%
Boston
98.4
Fort Collins
94.8
Utilities44.8%
Boston
148.8
Fort Collins
82.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Boston to see what you'd need to earn in Fort Collins to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Fort Collins, CO
$74,700
$5,300 less needed in Fort Collins

Formula: salary × (101.1 ÷ 108.3) = salary × 0.9335. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Boston, MA

Median Home Price
$709,000
Median Monthly Rent
$3,050
Housing Index
148.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.4×

Fort Collins, CO

Median Home Price
$540,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,875
Housing Index
120.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
24.0×

Boston has 18.7% lower housing costs compared to Fort Collins.

Income & Job Market

Boston, MA

Median Household Income
$110,700
Per Capita Income
$63,100
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Population
692,600
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationFinanceTechnologyBiotechnology

Fort Collins, CO

Median Household Income
$88,200
Per Capita Income
$50,300
Unemployment Rate
4.5%
Population
164,672
Top Industries
TechnologyEducationHealthcareAgricultureManufacturing

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Boston, MA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

67% of income left after rent (median)

Fort Collins, CO
3.9×income-to-rent ratio

74% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.