Arlington TX 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)
Arlington, TX
Texas · Population: 394,769
- Median HH Income$73,519
- Median Home Price$313,683
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
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
Arlington
394,769
Arlington +
Fort Collins
169,705
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arlington
N/A
Fort Collins
N/A
Median Age
Arlington
33.6
Fort Collins
30.6
Fort Collins +
Foreign Born
Arlington
21.3%
Arlington +
Fort Collins
6.6%
White
Arlington
43.2%
Fort Collins
81.7%
Fort Collins +
Black
Arlington
22.4%
Arlington +
Fort Collins
1.4%
Asian
Arlington
7.3%
Arlington +
Fort Collins
3.4%
Hispanic
Arlington
31.0%
Arlington +
Fort Collins
12.3%
Spanish at Home
Arlington
N/A
Fort Collins
N/A
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 169,705 | Arlington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 30.6 | Fort Collins + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 6.6% | Arlington + |
| White | 43.2% | 81.7% | Fort Collins + |
| Black | 22.4% | 1.4% | Arlington + |
| Asian | 7.3% | 3.4% | Arlington + |
| Hispanic | 31.0% | 12.3% | Arlington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arlington
$73,519
Fort Collins
$83,598
Fort Collins +
Per Capita Income
Arlington
$35,226
Fort Collins
$46,341
Fort Collins +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arlington
$63,758
Fort Collins
$76,653
Fort Collins +
Unemployment Rate
Arlington
5.7%
Fort Collins
5.2%
Fort Collins +
Poverty Rate
Arlington
13.1%
Arlington +
Fort Collins
16.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Arlington
33.1%
Fort Collins
59.9%
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,519 | $83,598 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,226 | $46,341 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $76,653 | Fort Collins + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 5.2% | Fort Collins + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.1% | 16.0% | Arlington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.1% | 59.9% | Fort Collins + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arlington
$313,683
Arlington +
Fort Collins
$568,389
Homeownership Rate
Arlington
54.8%
Arlington +
Fort Collins
52.1%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,683 | $568,389 | Arlington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.8% | 52.1% | Arlington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
442
Arlington +
Fort Collins
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
2339
Arlington +
Fort Collins
3234
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 512 | Arlington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3234 | Arlington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
33.8%
Fort Collins
23.8%
Fort Collins +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
12.0%
Fort Collins
6.2%
Fort Collins +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arlington
18.2%
Arlington +
Fort Collins
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arlington
18.4%
Fort Collins
9.4%
Fort Collins +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arlington
16.0%
Arlington +
Fort Collins
20.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arlington
13.3%
Fort Collins
9.9%
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 23.8% | Fort Collins + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 6.2% | Fort Collins + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 18.7% | Arlington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 9.4% | Fort Collins + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 20.3% | Arlington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 9.9% | Fort Collins + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
65.4°F
Fort Collins
50.3°F
Fort Collins +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
39.6 in
Fort Collins
16.1 in
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.4°F | 50.3°F | Fort Collins + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.6 in | 16.1 in | Fort Collins + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arlington
9.2 µg/m³
Fort Collins
6.2 µg/m³
Fort Collins +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arlington
55.0%
Fort Collins
75.0%
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Fort Collins + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Fort Collins + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Arlington
29.0 min
Fort Collins
21.8 min
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 min | 21.8 min | Fort Collins + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Collins leads in median household income at $83,598, while arlington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,683. On public safety, Arlington is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Fort Collins. Fort Collins has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and 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%.
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