Moving from Fort Collins, CO to Greeley, CO
About 4,427 people made this move in a typical year (Census Bureau metro-to-metro migration flows, ACS 5-year 2016-2020). Here is what the move does to two households’ budgets after 2026 taxes — and the salary each needs in Greeley, CO.
Single, $70k: line by line
Single adult earning $70,000, renting. Same gross pay in both places; renting at HUD Fair Market Rent (1 bedroom). Taxes take 20.9% of income in Fort Collins, CO and 20.9% in Greeley, CO.
Fort Collins, CO Greeley, CO (monthly)
| Monthly | Fort Collins, CO | Greeley, CO | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross income | $5,833 | $5,833 | $0 |
| Taxes | $1,217 | $1,217 | $0 |
| Federal income tax2026 tax law | $548 | $548 | $0 |
| Social Security + Medicare2026 tax law | $446 | $446 | $0 |
| State income tax2026 tax law | $198 | $198 | $0 |
| Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) – employee share2026 tax law | $26 | $26 | $0 |
| Take-home pay | $4,616 | $4,616 | $0 |
| Housing | $1,589 | $1,307 | −$282 |
| Rent, 1-bedroomHUD FMR FY2027 · 40th-percentile gross rent, includes tenant-paid utilities | $1,589 | $1,307 | −$282 |
| Food | $423 | $423 | $0 |
| Food at home (USDA Moderate-Cost plan)USDA food plans August 2026 · US cost × RPP goods 96.1 | $423 | $423 | $0 |
| Transportation | $161 | $161 | $0 |
| GasolineEIA electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05 · 12,000 mi ÷ 25 mpg × $4.02/gal (CO weekly average) | $161 | $161 | $0 |
| Sales tax | $14 | $14 | $0 |
| State sales taxState revenue dept. 2026-10-13 · 2.9% on other goods; groceries exempt — local add-ons not modeled | $14 | $14 | $0 |
| Other goods & services | $979 | $979 | $0 |
| Other goods (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP goods 96.1 | $480 | $480 | $0 |
| Other services (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP other services 99.8 | $499 | $499 | $0 |
| Left over after modeled costs | $1,450 | $1,732 | +$282 |
Family of four, $120k: line by line
Two adults, a preschooler and a school-age child, $120,000 combined, renting. Same gross pay in both places; renting at HUD Fair Market Rent (2 bedrooms), center-based childcare in current dollars. Taxes take 16.0% of income in Fort Collins, CO and 16.0% in Greeley, CO.
Fort Collins, CO Greeley, CO (monthly)
| Monthly | Fort Collins, CO | Greeley, CO | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross income | $10,000 | $10,000 | $0 |
| Taxes | $1,601 | $1,601 | $0 |
| Federal income tax2026 tax law · after $4,400 Child Tax Credit | $470 | $470 | $0 |
| Social Security + Medicare2026 tax law | $765 | $765 | $0 |
| State income tax2026 tax law | $322 | $322 | $0 |
| Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) – employee share2026 tax law | $44 | $44 | $0 |
| Take-home pay | $8,399 | $8,399 | $0 |
| Housing | $1,759 | $1,647 | −$112 |
| Rent, 2-bedroomHUD FMR FY2027 · 40th-percentile gross rent, includes tenant-paid utilities | $1,759 | $1,647 | −$112 |
| Childcare | $2,483 | $2,108 | −$375 |
| Childcare, center-basedDOL NDCP 2022 · preschool $252/wk, school-age $146/wk (2022 prices, Weld County, CO); × 1.2224 BLS CPI day care, 2022 to 2026-08 | $2,483 | $2,108 | −$375 |
| Food | $1,232 | $1,232 | $0 |
| Food at home (USDA Moderate-Cost plan)USDA food plans August 2026 · US cost × RPP goods 96.1 | $1,232 | $1,232 | $0 |
| Transportation | $322 | $322 | $0 |
| GasolineEIA electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05 · 24,000 mi ÷ 25 mpg × $4.02/gal (CO weekly average) | $322 | $322 | $0 |
| Sales tax | $14 | $14 | $0 |
| State sales taxState revenue dept. 2026-10-13 · 2.9% on other goods; groceries exempt — local add-ons not modeled | $14 | $14 | $0 |
| Other goods & services | $979 | $979 | $0 |
| Other goods (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP goods 96.1 | $480 | $480 | $0 |
| Other services (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP other services 99.8 | $499 | $499 | $0 |
| Left over after modeled costs | $1,610 | $2,098 | +$487 |
Fort Collins, CO vs Greeley, CO at a glance
| Measure | Fort Collins, CO | Greeley, CO |
|---|---|---|
| Price level (BEA RPP, US = 100) | 101.1 | 100.2 |
| Housing price level | 120.6 | 112.6 |
| 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $1,589 | $1,307 |
| 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $1,759 | $1,647 |
| 3-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $2,379 | $2,281 |
| Median home value | $569,100 | $471,700 |
| Effective property-tax rate | 0.50% | 0.52% |
| Median household income | $93,765 | $97,097 |
| Center infant care / week (DOL NDCP 2022 unless noted) | $391 | $341 |
| State income tax on wages | Yes | Yes |
| Mandatory local income tax (principal city) | None in our data | None in our data |
| State sales tax | 2.9% | 2.9% |
| Regular gasoline | $4.02 | $4.02 |
| Average electric bill (state) | $103 | $103 |
Sources: BEA RPP 2024; HUD FMR FY2027; Census ACS 2020-2024; DOL NDCP 2022; 2026 tax law; state revenue departments; EIA (electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05).
Frequently asked questions
How much do I need to make in Greeley, CO to keep my Fort Collins, CO lifestyle?+
For a single renter earning $70,000 in Fort Collins, CO, about $65,055 in Greeley, CO (−7.1%). For two adults with a preschooler and a school-age child on $120,000, about $112,256. Both keep the same money left over after 2026 taxes, rent, childcare, food, fuel and other modeled costs.
Is Greeley, CO cheaper than Fort Collins, CO?+
On BEA’s 2024 price index, Greeley, CO is at 100.2 and Fort Collins, CO at 101.1 (US = 100). After taxes and household costs, a single renter on $70,000 would have +$282 a month in Greeley, CO.
How many people move from Fort Collins, CO to Greeley, CO?+
About 4,427 people a year (±773), according to the Census Bureau’s metro-to-metro migration flows (ACS 5-year 2016-2020).
What isn’t included?+
Moving costs, health insurance, car payments and insurance, local sales tax add-ons and differences in wages between the two metros. Add known monthly costs in the calculator’s “Fixed costs / month” field.