Cost of Living: Houston, TX vs Fort Collins, CO (2026)

Houston

Texas
88
VS

Fort Collins

Colorado
137

Houston is 36% cheaper than Fort Collins.

$1,313/mo ↓ 21%
Median Rent
$1,661/mo ↑ 27%
$62,894/yr ↓ 25%
Median Income
$83,598/yr ↑ 33%
$253,400 ↓ 54%
Home Value
$548,400 ↑ 116%
$1,316/mo ↓ 22%
Owner Costs
$1,692/mo ↑ 29%
2,300,419
Population
169,705

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.4%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
2.9%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.51%

Affordability

25.1%
rent-to-income
Affordability
23.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Houston, TX and Fort Collins, CO, the overall cost of living indices are 88 and 137 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $348/month cheaper in Houston, saving renters about $4,176/year.

Median household income is $20,704/year higher in Fort Collins. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Houston is $253,400 compared to $548,400 in Fort Collins.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Houston residents a significant tax advantage over Colorado's 4.4% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Houston vs Fort Collins — common questions

Is Houston or Fort Collins cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Houston is cheaper to live in with an index of 88 compared to 137 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Houston and Fort Collins?
Median rent in Houston is $1,313/month and in Fort Collins it's $1,661/month — a difference of $348/month.
Which city has higher income, Houston or Fort Collins?
Median household income is $62,894 in Houston and $83,598 in Fort Collins. Median household income is $20,704/year higher in Fort Collins.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Colorado?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Colorado has 4.4% income tax, 2.9% sales tax, and 0.51% property tax.
Should I move to Houston or Fort Collins?
It depends on your priorities. Houston has a cost index of 88 with median rent of $1,313/mo, while Fort Collins has a cost index of 137 with rent of $1,661/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Houston details → View Fort Collins details →

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