on $100k a year, leaving Washington
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
below Washington's monthly cost
Fort Collins gives you room Washington doesn't. Same gross salary, lower monthly cost of living.
a quick ledger.
$1,971/mo
16% cheaper than Washington(vs $2,352/mo)
4.4%
$342/mo less in state tax than Washington
vs 8.5% in Washington
$5,996/mo
$723 more than Washington
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$572k
9% cheaper than Washington
vs $626k in Washington
371k
vs 6.3M in Washington
field notes, weather & such.
177
pleasant days a year, in fort collins.
Washington only logs 177 pleasant days. A real winter, not a brutal one: 44 days under 20°, vs 11 in Washington.
But the calendar thins out: Washington stays 161.0× busier.
69/100
21% lower than Washington
vs 87/100 in Washington
Closest outdoor draw: Rocky Mountain National Park, 31.3 mi.
86/100
12% lower than Washington
vs 98/100 in Washington
169
6% more than Washington
vs 160 nonstops in Washington
in the same ballpark as fort collins:
