Can I Afford to Live in Fort Collins vs Laredo on $40K?

Here's how a $40K/year salary plays out in both cities after taxes, rent, and core living expenses — based on Q1 2026 data.

Fort Collins, CO
$2,582/mo take-home
Rent: $1,700/mo (66% of take-home)
Difficult
Laredo, TX
$2,728/mo take-home
Rent: $950/mo (35% of take-home)
Manageable
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Monthly budget breakdown

Fort Collins
CO
Laredo
TX
Monthly take-home (est.)
$2,582
$2,728Best ✓
1BR rent
$1,700
$950Best ✓
Groceries (est.)
$384
$338Best ✓
Transport (est.)
$55
$35Best ✓
Utilities
$140Best ✓
$168
Internet
$65
$58Best ✓
Left after essentials
$238/month
$1,179/month
Laredo (Texas) has no state income tax, boosting take-home vs Fort Collins (CO rate: 4.4%).

Frequently asked questions

Is $40K a good salary in Fort Collins?

At $40K/year in Fort Collins, your estimated monthly take-home is $2,582. With 1BR rent around $1,700/month, rent takes up 66% of your take-home. That's considered difficult.

Is $40K a good salary in Laredo?

At $40K/year in Laredo, your estimated monthly take-home is $2,728. With 1BR rent around $950/month, rent takes up 35% of your take-home. That's considered manageable.

Which city is more affordable on a $40K salary?

Laredo leaves you with more money after core expenses — $1,179/month vs $238/month in Fort Collins.

Can I afford to live alone in Fort Collins on $40K?

It's tight. Rent in Fort Collins would take 66% of your $40K take-home pay. You may need to find roommates or look at studios to stay within the 30% rule.

Compare other salary bands — Fort Collins vs Laredo

$50K$60K$75K$80K$100K$120K$150K

See the full cost-of-living comparison

Rent, groceries, taxes, transportation, and more — side by side.

Full comparison

Take-home estimates use simplified federal/state brackets and do not account for pre-tax deductions, 401(k), or local taxes. Data: Zillow, BLS, Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only