$100k salary, packing up from Manchester
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 Manchester
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
6% cheaper than Manchester(vs $2,092/mo)
4.4%
$367/mo more in state tax than Manchester
vs 0% in Manchester
$5,996/mo
$245 less than Manchester
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$572k
5% more expensive than Manchester
vs $548k in Manchester
371k
vs 427k in Manchester
field notes, weather & such.
177
pleasant days a year, in fort collins.
Manchester keeps to 154 pleasant days a year.
93% fewer events than Manchester. The pace eases up.
69/100
11% higher than Manchester
vs 62/100 in Manchester
Closest outdoor draw: Rocky Mountain National Park, 31.3 mi.
86/100
12% lower than Manchester
vs 98/100 in Manchester
169
1200% more than Manchester
vs 13 nonstops in Manchester
neighbors of fort collins on the map of tradeoffs:
