Baltimore MD 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)
Baltimore, MD
Maryland · Population: 577,193
- Median HH Income$59,623
- Median Home Price$191,668
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+35.4%
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
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
Fort Collins
169,705
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Fort Collins
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Fort Collins
30.6
Fort Collins +
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Baltimore +
Fort Collins
6.6%
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Fort Collins
81.7%
Fort Collins +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Fort Collins
1.4%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Fort Collins
3.4%
Fort Collins +
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Fort Collins
12.3%
Fort Collins +
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Fort Collins
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 169,705 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 30.6 | Fort Collins + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 6.6% | Baltimore + |
| White | 27.4% | 81.7% | Fort Collins + |
| Black | 60.0% | 1.4% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 3.4% | Fort Collins + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 12.3% | Fort Collins + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Fort Collins
$83,598
Fort Collins +
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Fort Collins
$46,341
Fort Collins +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Fort Collins
$76,653
Fort Collins +
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Fort Collins
5.2%
Fort Collins +
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Fort Collins
16.0%
Fort Collins +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Fort Collins
59.9%
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $83,598 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $46,341 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $76,653 | Fort Collins + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 5.2% | Fort Collins + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 16.0% | Fort Collins + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 59.9% | Fort Collins + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Fort Collins
$568,389
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Fort Collins
52.1%
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $568,389 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 52.1% | Fort Collins + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Baltimore +
Fort Collins
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Baltimore +
Fort Collins
3234
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 512 | Baltimore + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 3234 | Baltimore + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Fort Collins
23.8%
Fort Collins +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Fort Collins
6.2%
Fort Collins +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Baltimore +
Fort Collins
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Fort Collins
9.4%
Fort Collins +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Baltimore +
Fort Collins
20.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Fort Collins
9.9%
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 23.8% | Fort Collins + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 6.2% | Fort Collins + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 18.7% | Baltimore + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 9.4% | Fort Collins + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 20.3% | Baltimore + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 9.9% | Fort Collins + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Fort Collins
50.3°F
Fort Collins +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Fort Collins
16.1 in
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | 50.3°F | Fort Collins + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | 16.1 in | Fort Collins + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Fort Collins
6.2 µg/m³
Fort Collins +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Fort Collins
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Fort Collins + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
Fort Collins
21.8 min
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 21.8 min | Fort Collins + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Collins leads in median household income at $83,598, while baltimore offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,668. On public safety, Baltimore is safer with a violent crime rate of 433 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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