CostIndexUSA

Fort Collins, CO vs Reading, PA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CO
Fort Collins
101.1
overall index
$1,875/mo rent
More AffordablePA
Reading
97.1
overall index
$1,400/mo rent

Reading is slightly cheaper than Fort Collins — 4.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Fort Collins, you would need $76,800 in Reading. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing29.2%
Fort Collins
120.6
Reading
85.4
🛒 Groceries+4.8%
Fort Collins
96.1
Reading
100.7
🚗 Transportation2.1%
Fort Collins
104.8
Reading
102.6
🏥 Healthcare2.1%
Fort Collins
94.8
Reading
92.8
Utilities+31.6%
Fort Collins
82.2
Reading
108.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Reading, PA
$76,800
$3,200 less needed in Reading

Formula: salary × (97.1 ÷ 101.1) = salary × 0.9604. 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×

Reading, PA

Median Home Price
$299,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,400
Housing Index
85.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.8×

Fort Collins has 29.2% lower housing costs compared to Reading.

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

Reading, PA

Median Household Income
$75,700
Per Capita Income
$43,100
Unemployment Rate
5%
Population
95,112
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingRetailEducationLogistics

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)

Reading, PA
4.5×income-to-rent ratio

78% 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.