Key Economic Benchmarks
Median Household Income
$85,070$7,089 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearFair market rent & 30% rule in Fort Collins, CO
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Fort Collins, CO
Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Fort Collins-Loveland, CO MSA. Under the federal 30% housing affordability standard, housing costs are sustainable when they consume 30% or less of gross household income.
| Unit Size | Monthly Rent | Annual Rent | 30% Rule Min. Income | % of Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / Efficiency | $1,509 | $18,108 | $60,360 | 21.3% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $1,537 | $18,444 | $61,480 | 21.7% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $1,732 | $20,784 | $69,280 | 24.4% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $2,385 | $28,620 | $95,400 | 33.6% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $2,540 | $30,480 | $101,600 | 35.8% |
50/30/20 Living Budget in Fort Collins, CO
Based on the local median household income of $85,070/year ($7,089/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:
Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Colorado
Explore net income after federal income tax, FICA, and Colorado state income tax based on the local median baseline.
Related Regional & Financial Profiles
Compare earnings and living costs across Colorado with official federal datasets:
Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Fort Collins, CO
What is the median household income in Fort Collins, CO?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Fort Collins, CO is $85,070 per year (approximately $7,089 per month).
What is the average rent in Fort Collins, CO?
According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Fort Collins, CO are $1,509 for a studio, $1,537 for 1 bedroom, $1,732 for 2 bedrooms, $2,385 for 3 bedrooms, and $2,540 for 4 bedrooms.
How does the cost of living in Fort Collins, CO compare to the national average?
Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Fort Collins, CO is 101.1 (1.1% higher than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).
How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Fort Collins, CO?
Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,732/month) in Fort Collins, CO requires a minimum gross household income of $69,280 per year ($5,773 per month).
What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Fort Collins, CO?
For a typical household earning the median income of $85,070/year ($7,089/month) in Fort Collins, CO, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $3,545/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $2,127/month to discretionary spending, and $1,418/month to savings and debt repayment.
What are typical electricity and utility costs in Fort Collins, CO?
Residential electricity rates in Colorado average 17.1¢ per kWh according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). For an average home using 900 kWh per month, the estimated electric bill is approximately $154 per month.