CostIndexUSA

Durham, NC vs Fort Collins, CO Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableNC
Durham
97.6
overall index
$1,650/mo rent
CO
Fort Collins
101.1
overall index
$1,875/mo rent

Durham is slightly cheaper than Fort Collins — 3.6% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Durham, you would need $82,900 in Fort Collins. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+21.9%
Durham
98.9
Fort Collins
120.6
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Durham
96.6
Fort Collins
96.1
🚗 Transportation+1.6%
Durham
103.1
Fort Collins
104.8
🏥 Healthcare+1.6%
Durham
93.3
Fort Collins
94.8
Utilities8.0%
Durham
89.3
Fort Collins
82.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Fort Collins, CO
$82,900
$2,900 more needed in Fort Collins

Formula: salary × (101.1 ÷ 97.6) = salary × 1.0359. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Durham, NC

Median Home Price
$402,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,650
Housing Index
98.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.3×

Fort Collins, CO

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

Fort Collins has 21.9% higher housing costs compared to Durham.

Income & Job Market

Durham, NC

Median Household Income
$83,300
Per Capita Income
$47,500
Unemployment Rate
3.2%
Population
278,993
Top Industries
TechnologyHealthcareEducationResearchFinance

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).

Durham, NC
4.2×income-to-rent ratio

76% 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.