Fort Collins, CO vs Phoenix, AZ: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, Phoenix, AZ is 2.2% more expensive than Fort Collins, CO (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Fort Collins works out to about $76,600 in Phoenix, before taxes.
- Most of the difference is everyday costs rather than housing: goods are 1.1% lower and other services 4.2% higher in Phoenix, while housing is 0.5% higher.
- Typical asking rent is $1,720 a month in Phoenix and $1,973 in Fort Collins, $3,036 a year less in Phoenix (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $441,000 in Phoenix and $546,000 in Fort Collins.
- The gap is about where it was in 2019 (2.1%).
derived Calculated from BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) and Zillow data. Based on an average household's spending; taxes not included. How we calculate.
Category by category
Both cities against the US average (100). The gap in each row is what matters for a move.
Everyday costs, not housing, drive the gap between Fort Collins and Phoenix
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Fort Collins, CO
- Phoenix, AZ
All items Fort Collins, CO: 101.1 Phoenix, AZ: 103.3
Goods Fort Collins, CO: 96.1 Phoenix, AZ: 95.0
Housing (rents) Fort Collins, CO: 120.6 Phoenix, AZ: 121.2
Utilities Fort Collins, CO: 82.2 Phoenix, AZ: 93.3
Other services Fort Collins, CO: 99.8 Phoenix, AZ: 104.0
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Fort Collins, CO | Phoenix, AZ | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 101.1 | 103.3 |
| Goods | 96.1 | 95.0 |
| Housing (rents) | 120.6 | 121.2 |
| Utilities | 82.2 | 93.3 |
| Other services | 99.8 | 104.0 |
| Category | Fort Collins | Phoenix | Phoenix vs Fort Collins |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 101.1 | 103.3 | +2.2% |
| Goods | 96.1 | 95.0 | −1.1% |
| Housing (rents) | 120.6 | 121.2 | +0.5% |
| Utilities | 82.2 | 93.3 | +13.6% |
| Other services | 99.8 | 104.0 | +4.2% |
| Typical asking rent | $1,973 | $1,720 | −12.8% |
| Typical home value | $546,000 | $441,000 | −19.2% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Fort Collins | $75,000 | $76,600 | +2.2% |
Index values: BEA, 2024, US = 100. Rent and home values: Data Provided by Zillow Group, September 2026.
How the gap has changed since 2008
The price gap between Fort Collins and Phoenix has narrowed since 2008: 8.5 points then, 2.2 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Fort Collins, CO
- Phoenix, AZ
US average = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Fort Collins, CO | Phoenix, AZ | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 97.2 | 105.7 |
| 2009 | 103.1 | 105.4 |
| 2010 | 101.3 | 102.7 |
| 2011 | 103.3 | 100.3 |
| 2012 | 104.7 | 98.7 |
| 2013 | 103.2 | 99.5 |
| 2014 | 103.2 | 99.1 |
| 2015 | 101.7 | 98.7 |
| 2016 | 101.4 | 100.4 |
| 2017 | 104.4 | 98.9 |
| 2018 | 100.9 | 99.6 |
| 2019 | 102.2 | 100.0 |
| 2020 | 98.5 | 102.8 |
| 2021 | 97.6 | 99.1 |
| 2022 | 98.2 | 103.9 |
| 2023 | 97.3 | 104.7 |
| 2024 | 101.1 | 103.3 |
Goods
- Fort Collins, CO
- Phoenix, AZ
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Fort Collins, CO | Phoenix, AZ | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 96.2 | 105.6 |
| 2009 | 101.1 | 109.1 |
| 2010 | 97.8 | 101.2 |
| 2011 | 99.2 | 99.0 |
| 2012 | 99.7 | 98.0 |
| 2013 | 98.0 | 97.8 |
| 2014 | 96.3 | 98.2 |
| 2015 | 94.9 | 98.7 |
| 2016 | 94.4 | 97.8 |
| 2017 | 99.7 | 96.0 |
| 2018 | 96.0 | 95.9 |
| 2019 | 99.2 | 94.9 |
| 2020 | 96.1 | 101.5 |
| 2021 | 96.3 | 94.5 |
| 2022 | 96.4 | 98.2 |
| 2023 | 96.3 | 98.4 |
| 2024 | 96.1 | 95.0 |
Housing (rents)
- Fort Collins, CO
- Phoenix, AZ
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Fort Collins, CO | Phoenix, AZ | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 98.8 | 113.7 |
| 2009 | 116.0 | 107.7 |
| 2010 | 114.7 | 103.0 |
| 2011 | 111.9 | 103.0 |
| 2012 | 121.4 | 102.7 |
| 2013 | 123.9 | 100.0 |
| 2014 | 121.7 | 101.4 |
| 2015 | 123.7 | 101.2 |
| 2016 | 126.6 | 100.6 |
| 2017 | 132.4 | 103.3 |
| 2018 | 136.8 | 104.4 |
| 2019 | 132.3 | 106.4 |
| 2020 | 119.5 | 111.2 |
| 2021 | 128.6 | 116.1 |
| 2022 | 130.1 | 122.8 |
| 2023 | 116.8 | 124.3 |
| 2024 | 120.6 | 121.2 |
Utilities
- Fort Collins, CO
- Phoenix, AZ
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Fort Collins, CO | Phoenix, AZ | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 79.3 | 100.3 |
| 2009 | 80.3 | 98.2 |
| 2010 | 89.8 | 106.1 |
| 2011 | 92.8 | 105.1 |
| 2012 | 95.8 | 99.0 |
| 2013 | 92.9 | 98.0 |
| 2014 | 97.4 | 98.3 |
| 2015 | 95.9 | 99.6 |
| 2016 | 89.8 | 95.7 |
| 2017 | 86.5 | 99.6 |
| 2018 | 80.2 | 104.7 |
| 2019 | 84.2 | 92.8 |
| 2020 | 83.0 | 89.8 |
| 2021 | 78.9 | 89.9 |
| 2022 | 84.0 | 88.2 |
| 2023 | 78.6 | 83.1 |
| 2024 | 82.2 | 93.3 |
Other services
- Fort Collins, CO
- Phoenix, AZ
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Fort Collins, CO | Phoenix, AZ | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 98.5 | 103.3 |
| 2009 | 101.4 | 102.7 |
| 2010 | 100.0 | 103.4 |
| 2011 | 103.7 | 100.0 |
| 2012 | 103.0 | 97.8 |
| 2013 | 101.4 | 100.7 |
| 2014 | 101.8 | 99.2 |
| 2015 | 100.1 | 97.9 |
| 2016 | 99.4 | 102.6 |
| 2017 | 100.2 | 99.6 |
| 2018 | 95.6 | 100.6 |
| 2019 | 96.5 | 102.3 |
| 2020 | 94.7 | 101.7 |
| 2021 | 91.1 | 98.3 |
| 2022 | 91.6 | 103.4 |
| 2023 | 93.1 | 104.5 |
| 2024 | 99.8 | 104.0 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $1,720 in Phoenix vs $1,973 in Fort Collins
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Fort Collins, CO
- Phoenix, AZ
- United States
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index (typical asking rent, all homes, smoothed), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Fort Collins, CO | Phoenix, AZ | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $1,237 | $923 | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | $1,264 | $945 | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | $1,275 | $949 | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | $1,270 | $956 | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | $1,309 | $973 | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | $1,331 | $994 | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | $1,308 | $1,001 | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | $1,282 | $1,003 | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | $1,339 | $1,030 | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | $1,375 | $1,055 | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | $1,356 | $1,065 | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | $1,328 | $1,071 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | $1,394 | $1,094 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | $1,418 | $1,127 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | $1,403 | $1,144 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | $1,414 | $1,158 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | $1,456 | $1,180 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | $1,466 | $1,216 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | $1,456 | $1,235 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | $1,447 | $1,251 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | $1,487 | $1,276 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | $1,495 | $1,281 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | $1,492 | $1,327 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | $1,491 | $1,363 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $1,527 | $1,411 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $1,589 | $1,519 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $1,639 | $1,633 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $1,664 | $1,675 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $1,691 | $1,706 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $1,742 | $1,731 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $1,780 | $1,727 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $1,775 | $1,701 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $1,813 | $1,719 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $1,846 | $1,727 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $1,863 | $1,725 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $1,871 | $1,701 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $1,883 | $1,717 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $1,934 | $1,730 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $1,912 | $1,726 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $1,874 | $1,703 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $1,924 | $1,721 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $1,969 | $1,716 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $1,942 | $1,703 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $1,895 | $1,691 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $1,978 | $1,706 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $2,001 | $1,714 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $1,973 | $1,720 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $441,000 in Phoenix vs $546,000 in Fort Collins
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Fort Collins, CO
- Phoenix, AZ
- United States
Source: Zillow Home Value Index (typical home value, middle tier, smoothed, seasonally adjusted), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Fort Collins, CO | Phoenix, AZ | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $295K | $209K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $303K | $214K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $314K | $219K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $322K | $226K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $332K | $232K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $341K | $234K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $347K | $238K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $354K | $241K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $364K | $245K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $371K | $249K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $374K | $254K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $379K | $258K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $387K | $263K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $392K | $268K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $396K | $274K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $399K | $278K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $405K | $283K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $411K | $286K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $413K | $289K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $416K | $295K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $421K | $305K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $422K | $312K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $427K | $321K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $441K | $339K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $456K | $358K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $479K | $388K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $497K | $417K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $511K | $438K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $538K | $463K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $566K | $493K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $559K | $490K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $553K | $465K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $547K | $447K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $544K | $448K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $549K | $456K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $549K | $460K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $551K | $463K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $555K | $466K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $555K | $463K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $558K | $461K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $556K | $456K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $550K | $451K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $547K | $446K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $549K | $446K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $547K | $447K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $543K | $443K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $546K | $441K | $366K |
More about each city
- Cost of living in Fort Collins, CO
- Cost of living in Phoenix, AZ
- Reverse: moving from Phoenix to Fort Collins
Related comparisons
What this comparison leaves out
- Taxes. State and local income, sales and property taxes can change the result a lot, especially between states.
- Neighborhoods. These are metro-wide averages; a city center and its outer suburbs can differ by more than two metros do.
- Your own spending mix. The default uses an average household. Use the housing slider above if rent is a bigger share of your budget.
- Timing. BEA price levels are for 2024; Zillow figures are monthly and newer.