Fort Collins vs Olathe: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Fort Collins, Colorado compare to Olathe, Kansas? Below is a side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, income, wages, and taxes using official government data.
Summary: Olathe is the more affordable city overall. Housing costs are 56% higher in Fort Collins compared to Olathe, while rent is 28% higher. State income tax is 4.4% in CO vs 5.7% in KS.
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Olathe, KS | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $497,400 | $317,900 | +56.5% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,576 | $1,229 | +28.2% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $78,977 | $108,077 | -26.9% |
| Per Capita Income | $43,495 | $46,299 | -6.1% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | 4.4% | 5.7% | -22.8% |
| Combined Sales Tax | 7.8% | 8.7% | -10.9% |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 168,758 | 142,114 | +18.7% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2022), Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. State/local tax rates from Tax Foundation (2024).
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Fort Collins
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Olathe
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Key Takeaways
- Housing: The median home in Fort Collins costs $497,400 compared to $317,900 in Olathe — a 56% premium.
- Rent: Median rent is $1,576/mo in Fort Collins vs $1,229/mo in Olathe.
- Income: Median household income is $78,977 in Fort Collins and $108,077 in Olathe.
- Taxes: State income tax is 4.4% in Colorado vs 5.7% in Kansas.
Methodology
This comparison uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2022) for median household income, median home value, median gross rent, per capita income, and population. State and local tax rates are sourced from the Tax Foundation. Mortgage rates are from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (updated weekly).