As a wonderful place to live, the beautiful Front Range mountain region of Fort Collins, Colorado, offers many affordable, high-quality, and comfortable housing options. The cost of living in Fort Collins, Colorado, may be higher than the national average, but the outdoor activities and natural features make it far more than worth the cost. Fort Collins, Colorado, is an attractive city with something for everyone, including the mountains, live music, plenty of local restaurants, a beautiful art scene, and the Colorado State University campus.
Fort Collins is the fourth largest city in Colorado, with 175,000 residents in the metro region. According to our top Colorado places to live listing and the U.S. News & World Report fifth-place ranking, its location makes it one of the best places to live in Colorado. Fort Collins offers a bike-friendly downtown, historic buildings, several craft breweries, and hiking, biking, and equestrian trails.
How expensive is an apartment in Fort Collins?
When looking for an apartment in Fort Collins, consider the neighborhood, your budget, square footage, and amenities. Generally, the cost of living runs a bit above the national average, at about 10% higher than this average. For an apartment outside of the city center, a one-bedroom apartment will usually cost approximately $1,198, and a two-bedroom apartment typically prices around $1,416. These prices are almost even with the national average rental prices, although they may be slightly higher. When considering the benefits of the area, the costs are worth it for the experience you get.
However, if you share a roommate, you can cut the cost in half while doubling the square footage, which is a great option for the Fort Collins price when living on a budget. When considered on a scale of 100, the cost of living for Fort Collins is about 118.3, while Colorado is 121.1. Although rent impacts the average cost of living in Fort Collins, Colorado, other rental expenses involve commuting costs, food, health care, energy, and transportation.
How do I find cheap apartments in Fort Collins?
Looking for deals in Fort Collins will often depend on the market rate and the time of year. For example, since Fort Collins is home to Colorado State University, better deals occur after the semester or school year begins. Neighborhoods closer to campus tend to run higher and usually require roommates. Ideally, you can find an affordable place by taking into account roommates, the number of rooms, pets, bathrooms, and proximity to your activities. A short commute could mean the difference of hundreds of dollars per month.
One way to save money on an apartment is for the unit or property to include the utilities as part of the rent costs. Since Colorado gets cooler winters, the average electricity bill in Fort Collins may run high if the heat is part of the bill. When a landlord covers this expense, renters may be able to save some money.
What is the cheapest rent in Fort Collins?
The cost of living for Fort Collins, Colorado, might seem high at first, but you can find fair, affordable, and comfortable accommodations. For example, if you’re a student and can manage to travel a little farther to get to campus, consider the Horsetooth Mountain Open Space or check out the downtown spots. The cheapest neighborhoods tend to be in the southwest part of the city, in Prospect, City Park Heights, and Tennyson Heights.
Does the cost of food impact the Fort Collins cost of living?
Fort Collins, Colorado, cost of living must always include the cost of food, even if you don’t eat out regularly or plan for a budget. The great restaurants to choose from, making Fort Collins close to a foodie town, while the general affordability is important to consider when moving. Plan for about $430 a month for a food budget, which is less than the national average by more than $100 each month. Of course, one of the local farmer’s markets may provide a deal, and many who live in Fort Collins grow their own food.
What free activities are available in Fort Collins, Colorado?
For those on a budget and who want to explore the area while living in Fort Collins, Colorado, when friends visit, consider visiting the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery and its Free Zone, or get a free tour of O’Dell Brewing Company or New Belgium Brewing Company, both with tasty brews. Bike or walk via one of the Fort Collins trails. Contact a ride-sharing service to take you where you need to go. Many other wildlife activities are available for those who enjoy nature: bird sightings and bison herding. You’ll likely encounter one of the many Fort Collins dogs (and their owners) that may be found throughout the city.
Remember that as you explore the different beautiful places on the Front Range, Fort Collins is only a short distance from Boulder, a short drive from Denver, and only a few hours from Colorado Springs or the Great Sand Dunes. Many places to ski, snowboard, snowshoe, hike, and relax in a hot tub are located in Fort Collins, and the best music is always found on a Saturday night.
Living in Fort Collins is a cost-effective lifestyle. Those who live here have a wonderful time with plenty of nature, hiking, skiing, and breweries. You can find many free activities in Colorado, and residents can save money by preserving utilities, getting roommates, or living in the Prospect, City Park Heights, and Tennyson Heights neighborhoods.
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