on $100k a year, leaving Hickory
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
pricier each month than Hickory
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
37% more expensive than Hickory(vs $1,434/mo)
4.4%
$8/mo less in state tax than Hickory
vs 4.5% in Hickory
$5,996/mo
$528 less than Hickory
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$572k
113% more expensive than Hickory
vs $268k in Hickory
371k
vs 370k in Hickory
field notes, weather & such.
177
pleasant days a year, in fort collins.
Hickory actually gets more: 189 pleasant days a year. Bring a real coat. 44 days stay under 20°, well past Hickory's 4.
95% fewer events than Hickory. The pace eases up.
69/100
8% higher than Hickory
vs 64/100 in Hickory
Closest outdoor draw: Rocky Mountain National Park, 31.3 mi.
86/100
23% higher than Hickory
vs 70/100 in Hickory
169
0% fewer than Hickory
vs 0 nonstops in Hickory
if fort collins appeals, also worth a look:
