Ann Arbor MI vs Fort Collins CO — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026

Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)

Ann Arbor, MI

Michigan · Population: N/A

  • Median HH IncomeN/A
  • Median Home Price$531,674
  • UnemploymentN/A
  • Bachelor's+N/A

Fort Collins, CO

Colorado · Population: 169,705

  • Median HH Income$83,598
  • Median Home Price$568,389
  • Unemployment5.2%
  • Bachelor's+59.9%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Ann Arbor
N/A
Fort Collins
169,705
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Ann Arbor
N/A
Fort Collins
N/A
Median Age
Ann Arbor
N/A
Fort Collins
30.6
Foreign Born
Ann Arbor
N/A
Fort Collins
6.6%
White
Ann Arbor
N/A
Fort Collins
81.7%
Black
Ann Arbor
N/A
Fort Collins
1.4%
Asian
Ann Arbor
N/A
Fort Collins
3.4%
Hispanic
Ann Arbor
N/A
Fort Collins
12.3%
Spanish at Home
Ann Arbor
N/A
Fort Collins
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Ann Arbor
N/A
Fort Collins
$83,598
Per Capita Income
Ann Arbor
N/A
Fort Collins
$46,341
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Ann Arbor
$58,052
Fort Collins
$76,653
Fort Collins +
Unemployment Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Fort Collins
5.2%
Poverty Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Fort Collins
16.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Ann Arbor
N/A
Fort Collins
59.9%

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Ann Arbor
$531,674
Ann Arbor +
Fort Collins
$568,389
Homeownership Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Fort Collins
52.1%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
471
Ann Arbor +
Fort Collins
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
1590
Ann Arbor +
Fort Collins
3234

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
25.8%
Fort Collins
23.8%
Fort Collins +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
6.4%
Fort Collins
6.2%
Fort Collins +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Ann Arbor
18.3%
Ann Arbor +
Fort Collins
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
6.0%
Ann Arbor +
Fort Collins
9.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
18.3%
Ann Arbor +
Fort Collins
20.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
9.1%
Ann Arbor +
Fort Collins
9.9%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ann Arbor
48.4°F
Ann Arbor +
Fort Collins
50.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ann Arbor
N/A
Fort Collins
16.1 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
10.7 µg/m³
Fort Collins
6.2 µg/m³
Fort Collins +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Ann Arbor
55.0%
Fort Collins
75.0%
Fort Collins +

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Ann Arbor
N/A
Fort Collins
21.8 min

Which City is Right for You?

Ann Arbor offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $531,674. On public safety, Ann Arbor is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Fort Collins. Fort Collins has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Collins scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.8%.

Compare More Cities

About Ann Arbor & Fort Collins