Boulder CO 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)
Boulder, CO
Colorado · Population: 106,274
- Median HH Income$85,364
- Median Home Price$970,905
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+76.8%
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
Boulder
106,274
Fort Collins
169,705
Fort Collins +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boulder
N/A
Fort Collins
N/A
Median Age
Boulder
28.8
Boulder +
Fort Collins
30.6
Foreign Born
Boulder
10.2%
Boulder +
Fort Collins
6.6%
White
Boulder
81.8%
Boulder +
Fort Collins
81.7%
Black
Boulder
1.1%
Fort Collins
1.4%
Fort Collins +
Asian
Boulder
5.8%
Boulder +
Fort Collins
3.4%
Hispanic
Boulder
11.2%
Fort Collins
12.3%
Fort Collins +
Spanish at Home
Boulder
N/A
Fort Collins
N/A
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,274 | 169,705 | Fort Collins + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.8 | 30.6 | Boulder + |
| Foreign Born | 10.2% | 6.6% | Boulder + |
| White | 81.8% | 81.7% | Boulder + |
| Black | 1.1% | 1.4% | Fort Collins + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 3.4% | Boulder + |
| Hispanic | 11.2% | 12.3% | Fort Collins + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boulder
$85,364
Boulder +
Fort Collins
$83,598
Per Capita Income
Boulder
$59,450
Boulder +
Fort Collins
$46,341
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boulder
$76,653
Fort Collins
$76,653
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Boulder
6.1%
Fort Collins
5.2%
Fort Collins +
Poverty Rate
Boulder
21.8%
Fort Collins
16.0%
Fort Collins +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boulder
76.8%
Boulder +
Fort Collins
59.9%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,364 | $83,598 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,450 | $46,341 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $76,653 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 5.2% | Fort Collins + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.8% | 16.0% | Fort Collins + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 76.8% | 59.9% | Boulder + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boulder
$970,905
Fort Collins
$568,389
Fort Collins +
Homeownership Rate
Boulder
47.9%
Fort Collins
52.1%
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $970,905 | $568,389 | Fort Collins + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.9% | 52.1% | Fort Collins + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
512
Fort Collins
512
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
3234
Fort Collins
3234
Tie
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 512 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 3234 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
16.5%
Boulder +
Fort Collins
23.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
5.7%
Boulder +
Fort Collins
6.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boulder
17.9%
Boulder +
Fort Collins
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boulder
8.6%
Boulder +
Fort Collins
9.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boulder
19.8%
Boulder +
Fort Collins
20.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boulder
9.0%
Boulder +
Fort Collins
9.9%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 23.8% | Boulder + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.7% | 6.2% | Boulder + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 18.7% | Boulder + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 9.4% | Boulder + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 20.3% | Boulder + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 9.9% | Boulder + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
51.6°F
Fort Collins
50.3°F
Fort Collins +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
20.7 in
Fort Collins
16.1 in
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 50.3°F | Fort Collins + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | 16.1 in | Fort Collins + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boulder
6.2 µg/m³
Fort Collins
6.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boulder
75.0%
Fort Collins
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boulder
21.0 min
Boulder +
Fort Collins
21.8 min
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 21.8 min | Boulder + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boulder leads in median household income at $85,364, while fort Collins offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $568,389. On public safety, Fort Collins is safer with a violent crime rate of 512 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Boulder. 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, Boulder scores better with a lower obesity rate of 16.5%.
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