CostIndexUSA

Fort Collins, CO vs Joplin, MO Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CO
Fort Collins
101.1
overall index
$1,875/mo rent
More AffordableMO
Joplin
85.7
overall index
$1,250/mo rent

Joplin is significantly cheaper than Fort Collins — 15.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Fort Collins, you would need $67,800 in Joplin. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing55.2%
Fort Collins
120.6
Joplin
54
🛒 Groceries2.0%
Fort Collins
96.1
Joplin
94.2
🚗 Transportation6.8%
Fort Collins
104.8
Joplin
97.7
🏥 Healthcare6.8%
Fort Collins
94.8
Joplin
88.4
Utilities+4.5%
Fort Collins
82.2
Joplin
85.9

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Joplin, MO
$67,800
$12,200 less needed in Joplin

Formula: salary × (85.7 ÷ 101.1) = salary × 0.8477. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Fort Collins, CO

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

Joplin, MO

Median Home Price
$216,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,250
Housing Index
54
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.4×

Fort Collins has 55.2% lower housing costs compared to Joplin.

Income & Job Market

Fort Collins, CO

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

Joplin, MO

Median Household Income
$57,900
Per Capita Income
$33,000
Unemployment Rate
4.4%
Population
50,843
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingRetailEducationFinance

Affordability at a Glance

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

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

74% of income left after rent (median)

Joplin, MO
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.