same $100k income, fresh start from Springfield
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 Springfield
Fort Collins costs more than Springfield, and you'll feel it. The upside has to come from somewhere other than your budget.
a quick ledger.
$1,971/mo
58% more expensive than Springfield(vs $1,249/mo)
4.4%
$25/mo less in state tax than Springfield
vs 4.7% in Springfield
$5,996/mo
$697 less than Springfield
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$572k
113% more expensive than Springfield
vs $268k in Springfield
371k
vs 491k in Springfield
field notes, weather & such.
177
pleasant days a year, in fort collins.
Springfield only logs 170 pleasant days. Winter has bite, though: 44 days drop below 20° vs Springfield's 20.
But the calendar thins out: Springfield stays 16.0× busier.
69/100
38% higher than Springfield
vs 50/100 in Springfield
Closest outdoor draw: Rocky Mountain National Park, 31.3 mi.
86/100
3% lower than Springfield
vs 89/100 in Springfield
169
1778% more than Springfield
vs 9 nonstops in Springfield
in the same ballpark as fort collins:
