Fort Collins vs Santa Fe — side-by-side
Cost of living: Fort Collins vs Santa Fe (2026)
A $65,000 salary in Fort Collins buys roughly what $65,000 does in Santa Fe (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
Your move simulator
Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
−$1,604/yr
Favoring Santa Fe for this income & household (illustrative).
With an extra $134/mo in Santa Fe, you could max a Roth IRA contribution faster and still grow your savings buffer.
Studio rent/mo
1BR rent/mo
2BR rent/mo
Median home price
Groceries index (100 = US avg)
Budget meal (1 person)
Mid-range dinner (2)
Monthly transit pass/mo
Gas price/gal
Car insurance/mo
Monthly utilities bundle/mo
Internet/mo
Median household income/yr
State income tax%
Sales tax (combined)%
Movie ticket
Gym membership/mo
Beer at restaurant
Overall COL index (100 = US avg)
Walk score / 100
| Category | Fort Collins Colorado | Santa Fe New Mexico | Who wins | Your impact at $65K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $1,350 | $1,200Better | Santa Fe wins −$150/mo | $1,800/yr saves in Santa Fe |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,700 | $1,550Better | Santa Fe wins −$150/mo | $1,800/yr saves in Santa Fe |
| 2BR rent/mo | $2,250 | $2,050Better | Santa Fe wins −$200/mo | $2,400/yr saves in Santa Fe |
| Median home price | $520K | $480KBetter | Santa Fe wins −$40K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 101 | 99Better | Santa Fe wins -2 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $14 | $13Better | Santa Fe wins −$1/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $60 | $58Better | Santa Fe wins −$2/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $55 | $40Wins | Santa Fe wins −$15/mo | — |
| Gas price/gal | $3.40 | $3.15Better | Santa Fe wins −$0.25 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $140Better | $142 | Fort wins +$2/mo | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $140Better | $158 | Fort wins +$18/mo | — |
| Internet/mo | $65Better | $65 | — | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $72KWins | $58K | Fort wins −$14K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 4.4%Better | 4.9% | Fort wins +0.5 pp | $325/yr saves in Fort |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 7.5%Better | 7.7% | Fort wins +0.2 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $15.00Better | $15.00 | — | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $42 | $38Better | Santa Fe wins −$4/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $6.50Better | $6.50 | — | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 99Better | 99 | — | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 36 | 42Wins | Santa Fe wins +6 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Maximize everyday spend in your new city
Fort Collins fits your move math — cash-back cards stack on groceries, gas, and dining you're already doing.
Home + auto bundle
New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in Fort Collins.
High-yield savings
Grow your move fund while you shop for homes
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
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While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Fort Collins vs Santa Fe?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Fort Collins is $1,700/month and in Santa Fe is $1,550/month. Fort Collins is more expensive by 10%.
How much do I need to earn in Santa Fe to match a $75,000 salary in Fort Collins?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $75,000/year in Santa Fe to match a $75,000 salary in Fort Collins. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Fort Collins or Santa Fe?
Fort Collins has the lower state income tax rate at 4.4% vs 4.9%. The difference is 0.5 percentage points. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Fort Collins to Santa Fe?
It depends on your priorities. Both cities have similar overall costs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
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