$100k salary, packing up from Des Moines
changea dispatch from
fort collins
CO
40.59°N
105.08°W
Fort Collins is the home of New Belgium Brewing (Fat Tire's origin) and a thriving craft beer scene with more breweries than Boulder. Old Town's brick streets and historic storefronts are charming enough that they're said to have influenced Disney's Main Street USA designers. CSU keeps the energy young. The foothills rise right outside town, and Rocky Mountain National Park is an hour away. Quieter than Boulder, less expensive.
the verdict
the monthly premium over Des Moines
Fort Collins costs meaningfully more. Whether it earns that back in the day-to-day is the actual question.
a quick ledger.
$1,971/mo
55% more expensive than Des Moines(vs $1,268/mo)
4.4%
$133/mo less in state tax than Des Moines
vs 6% in Des Moines
$5,996/mo
$569 less than Des Moines
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$572k
91% more expensive than Des Moines
vs $300k in Des Moines
371k
vs 737k in Des Moines
field notes, weather & such.
177
pleasant days a year, in fort collins.
Des Moines only manages 151 of those.
98% fewer events than Des Moines. The pace eases up.
69/100
25% higher than Des Moines
vs 55/100 in Des Moines
Closest outdoor draw: Rocky Mountain National Park, 31.3 mi.
86/100
10% higher than Des Moines
vs 78/100 in Des Moines
169
894% more than Des Moines
vs 17 nonstops in Des Moines
in the same ballpark as fort collins:
