Question 1

Is Alexandria or Fort Collins cheaper to live in?

Accepted Answer

Fort Collins, CO is cheaper. Estimated essentials for a single person run about $452/month less than in Alexandria, covering rent plus everyday costs. Typical rent is $2,246/mo in Alexandria versus $1,732/mo in Fort Collins.

Question 2

What salary do you need in Alexandria vs Fort Collins?

Accepted Answer

Living comfortably takes roughly $90,500/year before tax in Alexandria, VA and $78,500/year in Fort Collins, CO — a difference of about $12,000. Both figures are after state and local income taxes are accounted for.

Question 3

Is Alexandria or Fort Collins cheaper for a family?

Accepted Answer

Fort Collins, the same answer as for a single person. Two adults with a pre-schooler and a school-age child run about $12,773/month in Alexandria and $10,464/month in Fort Collins, including county-median childcare.

Question 4

Should I move to Alexandria or Fort Collins?

Accepted Answer

It depends on what you weight. Fort Collins costs less month to month, but cost is one of six factors — jobs, safety, climate, housing and amenities all differ too. Compare them against your own income and priorities rather than a single ranking.

Metric	Alexandria63	Fort Collins61
Est. monthly cost (single)	$4,696	$4,244
Est. monthly cost (family of 4, incl. childcare)	$12,773	$10,464
Salary for comfort	$90,500/yr	$78,500/yr
Typical rent	$2,246	$1,732
Median home value	$696,800	$548,400
Median household income	$113,638	$83,598
Unemployment	3.1%	3.6%
Housing score	45	38
Jobs score	58	66
Safety score	83	63
Climate score	100	68
Amenities score	9	28
Population	156.8K	169.7K
Summer high / winter low	88° / 29°	87° / 14°

Alexandria, VA vs Fort Collins, CO