Boise ID 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)
Boise, ID
Idaho · Population: 235,701
- Median HH Income$81,308
- Median Home Price$504,894
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+46.6%
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
Boise
235,701
Boise +
Fort Collins
169,705
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
Fort Collins
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Fort Collins
30.6
Fort Collins +
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Boise +
Fort Collins
6.6%
White
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Fort Collins
81.7%
Black
Boise
1.4%
Fort Collins
1.4%
Fort Collins +
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Fort Collins
3.4%
Tie
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Fort Collins
12.3%
Fort Collins +
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
Fort Collins
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 169,705 | Boise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 30.6 | Fort Collins + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 6.6% | Boise + |
| White | 83.6% | 81.7% | Boise + |
| Black | 1.4% | 1.4% | Fort Collins + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 3.4% | Tie |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 12.3% | Fort Collins + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Fort Collins
$83,598
Fort Collins +
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Boise +
Fort Collins
$46,341
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
Fort Collins
$76,653
Fort Collins +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Fort Collins
5.2%
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Boise +
Fort Collins
16.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Fort Collins
59.9%
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Boise, ID | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $83,598 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $46,341 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $76,653 | Fort Collins + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 5.2% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 16.0% | Boise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 59.9% | Fort Collins + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
Boise +
Fort Collins
$568,389
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Boise +
Fort Collins
52.1%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $568,389 | Boise + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 52.1% | Boise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Boise +
Fort Collins
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
Fort Collins
3234
| Metric | Boise, ID | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 512 | Boise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 3234 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Fort Collins
23.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Fort Collins
6.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
Fort Collins
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Fort Collins
9.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Fort Collins
20.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Fort Collins
9.9%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 23.8% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 6.2% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.7% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.4% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 20.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.9% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
49.9°F
Boise +
Fort Collins
50.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Fort Collins
16.1 in
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Boise, ID | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 50.3°F | Boise + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.6 in | 16.1 in | Fort Collins + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Fort Collins
6.2 µg/m³
Fort Collins +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Fort Collins
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boise, ID | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Fort Collins + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
Fort Collins
21.8 min
| Metric | Boise, ID | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 21.8 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Collins leads in median household income at $83,598, while boise offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $504,894. On public safety, Boise is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Fort Collins. Boise has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Fort Collins has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Boise, ID vs New York, NYBoise, ID vs Los Angeles, CABoise, ID vs Chicago, ILBoise, ID vs Houston, TXBoise, ID vs Phoenix, AZBoise, ID vs Philadelphia, PA