Is Lancaster, CA cheaper than Fort Collins, CO?

Based on cost of living data, Lancaster, CA is 40.4% more expensive than Fort Collins, CO. This translates to spending an extra $3033 per month.

What salary do I need in Lancaster, CA to live like I do in Fort Collins, CO?

If you earn $150,000 in Fort Collins, CO, you'd need approximately $186,400.928 in Lancaster, CA to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Fort Collins, CO and Lancaster, CA?

Housing in Lancaster, CA is 112.7% more expensive than in Fort Collins, CO. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,461/month in Lancaster, CA compared to $1,302/month in Fort Collins, CO.

How much can I save per month by moving from Fort Collins, CO to Lancaster, CA?

Living in Lancaster, CA costs approximately $3033 more per month than Fort Collins, CO, or $36401 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Fort Collins, CO vs Lancaster, CA: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Data: HUD rent estimates, BLS cost of living

Current salary in Fort Collins, CO

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $3.0K/month more in Lancaster, CA

$150.0K in your current city equals $186.4K in Lancaster, CA

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from area

Overall Cost

↑ 40.4%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$3,033

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$36.4K

Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Fort Collins, CO

Population:170K

Cost Index:

100

100 = national average

Median Home:$542K

Lancaster, CA

Population:166K

Cost Index:

140

(40% above avg)

Median Home:$412K

Fort Collins, CO

The Centennial State

170K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Colorado, this city has a population of 170K residents.

Lancaster, CA

The Golden State

166K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in California, this city has a population of 166K residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Fort Collins, CO vs Lancaster, CA

Category	Fort Collins, CO	Lancaster, CA	Difference	Change
Housing	$2,722/mo	$5,789/mo	↑ $3,067more	112.7%
Transportation	$1,361/mo	$1,792/mo	↑ $431more	31.6%
Other	$1,652/mo	$1,437/mo	↓ $215less	13.0%
Healthcare	$610/mo	$505/mo	↓ $105less	17.2%
Groceries	$993/mo	$948/mo	↓ $45.43less	4.6%
All Utilities	$501/mo	$508/mo	↑ $6.88more	1.4%

Housing

↑ 112.7%

Fort Collins, CO

$2,722

Lancaster, CA

$5,789

Difference

$3,067

Transportation

↑ 31.6%

Fort Collins, CO

$1,361

Lancaster, CA

$1,792

Difference

$431

Other

↓ 13.0%

Fort Collins, CO

$1,652

Lancaster, CA

$1,437

Difference

$215

less

Healthcare

↓ 17.2%

Fort Collins, CO

$610

Lancaster, CA

$505

Difference

$105

less

Groceries

↓ 4.6%

Fort Collins, CO

$993

Lancaster, CA

$948

Difference

$45.43

less

All Utilities

↑ 1.4%

Fort Collins, CO

$501

Lancaster, CA

$508

Difference

$6.88

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,136

To$1,016

↓ $120

1 Bed

From$1,152

To$1,150

↓ $2.00

2 Bed

From$1,302

To$1,461

↑ $159

3 Bed

From$1,797

To$1,870

↑ $73.00

Fort Collins, COZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,400–$1,690/mo

Lancaster, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,630–$1,630/mo

💡 Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$7,839

Monthly in Fort Collins, CO

$10,978

Monthly in Lancaster, CA

$3,138

Difference

Home Values

Fort Collins

Lancaster

$542K

Median Value

$412K

↓ -1.3%

YoY Change

↓ -3.7%

↑ +23.2%

5-Year Change

↑ +29.5%

$509K - $574K

Price Range

$412K

Homes in Lancaster are 24% less expensive than Fort Collins

Calculate payment - Fort Collins Calculate payment - Lancaster

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $4.0K

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$336

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

2.7%

Rate difference

Fort Collins, CO

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Colorado State Tax

Effective: 4.4%

$6.6K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.1%

$43.6K

Take-Home Pay

$8,866/month

$106.4K

Lancaster, CA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

California State Tax

Effective: 7.1%

$10.6K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 31.8%

$47.6K

Take-Home Pay

$8,530/month

$102.4K

Additional Tax Information

Fort Collins, CO Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.8%

Property Tax:0.5%

Lancaster, CA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:10.5%

Property Tax:0.8%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.