Fort Collins Rent vs Loveland and Greeley: What Renters Pay
Loveland generally has lower rents than Fort Collins, with a gap that can reach $150 to $400 a month. Greeley lacks current rent figures in this comparison, so check local data before you decide.
Renting in Loveland is generally cheaper than renting in Fort Collins, so it is the stronger choice if rent is the biggest part of your budget. Loveland is generally a bit cheaper than Fort Collins, especially for rent [1]. Loveland has lower median rents than Fort Collins [2]. Related reading: Average Rent in Fort Collins, CO: What the Numbers Mean.
That range matters for a monthly budget. Compare that amount with the rent on the apartment you are considering.
Greeley is the one city here without a current rent figure, so this article cannot yet say whether it is cheaper or costlier than Fort Collins.
How do the three cities compare on rent and living costs?
Loveland has the lower rents of the three cities and Fort Collins the higher. Greeley cannot be ranked yet because it has no current rent figure.
City | Rent signal | Overall cost of living | Date of the figure |
|---|---|---|---|
Fort Collins | Higher rent near downtown and CSU | Baseline for comparison | Not dated in the source |
Greeley | No current rent figure | Not covered | Not applicable |
Fort Collins rents run higher, especially near downtown and Colorado State University [2]. If you do not need to live close to campus or the city center, Loveland is the cheaper starting point.
The overall cost figure measures something different. Loveland's overall living cost is about 0.1% below Fort Collins [3]. That is a general cost index, not rent alone, so it says little about what you would pay each month for a unit.
The rent gap is the number that matters for your budget. Compare the same bedroom size in each city, so the rent figures line up. For example, a one-bedroom in Loveland should be set against a one-bedroom in Fort Collins, not a studio. You may also find this useful: Income Needed to Rent in Fort Collins: A Worked Example.
Greeley is the open question in this table. Without a current median rent, you cannot place it against the other two, so do not assume it is cheaper or more expensive than either.
Why does Fort Collins rent run higher in some areas?
Rents run higher in Fort Collins, especially near downtown and Colorado State University (CSU) [2]. If you compare the city with Loveland, treat these areas as the high end of your Fort Collins range. Neighborhoods farther from them give you a lower starting point for that comparison.
A forum post gives a rough sense of how much more these areas can cost. It reports per-room prices, which is a different measure from the rent for a whole apartment or house [4].
A forum post dated August 28, 2022 reported that you could rent a house for around $600 per room near CSU and around $500 to $550 per room near the University of Northern Colorado [4].
Treat that number as dated and anecdotal.
If you plan to rent a whole unit by yourself, a per-room figure will not match your total monthly cost. Use it to see how the areas near campus and downtown compare with each other, then build your budget from the rent for the bedroom size you need.
What do you gain by renting in Loveland?
Loveland generally has lower median rents than Fort Collins, so it is the clearer choice if a lower monthly bill is your priority [2]. Many people also pick it for better value on home prices, not just rent [1].
The reported gap is $150 to $400 a month [2]. Over a year, that adds up to $1,800 to $4,800 for the same kind of unit.
The gap is wide enough to change how much you can save each year. It also helps to set your target rent first, then see which city's range fits it.
Keep in mind that these figures describe medians and ranges, not the rent on any specific listing. A median is the middle value across many rentals, so a single apartment can cost more or less than the range suggests. Use the gap as a starting point, then compare actual listings in the neighborhoods you are considering before you decide.
What is known about rent in Greeley?
Greeley does not have a current rent figure that you can set beside Fort Collins or Loveland. Until you have one, do not assume Greeley is cheaper or costlier than either city.
The comparison only works when the numbers match. Take the Fort Collins median you are using and find a Greeley median for the same bedroom size and the same period. Comparing a studio with a three-bedroom, or a figure from one year with a figure from another, will give you a gap that means nothing.
Where to find Greeley's rent
Check current median rents for Greeley on Zillow Research, or in U.S. Census Bureau data. Both report rents by city, so you can look up Greeley the same way you looked up Fort Collins.
Once you have the Greeley figure, subtract it from the Fort Collins figure for the same bedroom size. Multiply the monthly difference by 12 to see the yearly gap.
What to do with the result
If the Greeley median is lower for your bedroom size, Greeley deserves a place on your shortlist. If it is higher, Fort Collins or Loveland may be the better value, depending on your commute and neighborhood needs.
Keep the result in the table with the other two cities, and mark the date next to it so you can see how old the figure is.
What tradeoffs come with a lower rent in Loveland?
Loveland's lower rent is real, but it does not make daily life much cheaper. Overall living costs in Loveland are about 0.1% below Fort Collins [3]. That small gap means most of your saving comes from housing, not from everyday spending as a whole. If you move to Loveland mainly to pay less, that is the trade you are making.
How the two cities are described
Local market writing describes the two cities in different terms. It says Fort Collins offers "dependable consistency," while Loveland offers "momentum and growth" [5]. That line is one writer's opinion, not a forecast, so read it as a description of each market's character rather than a promise about future rent or prices.
Weigh the rest before you decide
A lower rent only helps if the rest of your week still works. Start with your commute: if your job is in Fort Collins, a longer drive each workday can use up the time and fuel you saved on rent. Next, think about the neighborhood you want, such as quiet streets, a walkable area or a short trip to a park or grocery store. Finally, note the amenities you use most, like a gym, a transit stop or a school, and see whether they are close to the Loveland homes you are considering.
Consider a renter who saves a little on rent but adds 30 minutes each way to work. The saving looks real on paper, yet that renter may end up worse off in time and daily stress. Count the whole week, not only the rent line.
Which city should you rent in?
Choose Loveland if a lower monthly rent is your priority. Loveland has lower median rents, and the gap can be $150 to $400 a month [2]. If that difference matters to your budget, Loveland is the better fit.
Choose Fort Collins if you need to live near downtown or Colorado State University and can afford the higher rent there [2]. Before you sign, confirm current rents for the bedroom size you need on a current listing or in Zillow Research data. Rents change, so an older figure may not match what you will pay.