Casper WY 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)
Casper, WY
Wyoming · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$308,116
- 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
Casper
N/A
Fort Collins
169,705
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Casper
N/A
Fort Collins
N/A
Median Age
Casper
N/A
Fort Collins
30.6
Foreign Born
Casper
N/A
Fort Collins
6.6%
White
Casper
N/A
Fort Collins
81.7%
Black
Casper
N/A
Fort Collins
1.4%
Asian
Casper
N/A
Fort Collins
3.4%
Hispanic
Casper
N/A
Fort Collins
12.3%
Spanish at Home
Casper
N/A
Fort Collins
N/A
| Metric | Casper, WY | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 169,705 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 30.6 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 6.6% | - |
| White | N/A | 81.7% | - |
| Black | N/A | 1.4% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 3.4% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 12.3% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Casper
N/A
Fort Collins
$83,598
Per Capita Income
Casper
N/A
Fort Collins
$46,341
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Casper
$77,800
Casper +
Fort Collins
$76,653
Unemployment Rate
Casper
N/A
Fort Collins
5.2%
Poverty Rate
Casper
N/A
Fort Collins
16.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Casper
N/A
Fort Collins
59.9%
| Metric | Casper, WY | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $83,598 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $46,341 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,800 | $76,653 | Casper + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 5.2% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 16.0% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 59.9% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Casper
$308,116
Casper +
Fort Collins
$568,389
Homeownership Rate
Casper
N/A
Fort Collins
52.1%
| Metric | Casper, WY | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $308,116 | $568,389 | Casper + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 52.1% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Casper
222
Casper +
Fort Collins
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Casper
1522
Casper +
Fort Collins
3234
| Metric | Casper, WY | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 222 | 512 | Casper + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1522 | 3234 | Casper + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Casper
36.6%
Fort Collins
23.8%
Fort Collins +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Casper
11.0%
Fort Collins
6.2%
Fort Collins +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Casper
16.9%
Casper +
Fort Collins
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Casper
11.8%
Fort Collins
9.4%
Fort Collins +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Casper
16.3%
Casper +
Fort Collins
20.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Casper
15.2%
Fort Collins
9.9%
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Casper, WY | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.6% | 23.8% | Fort Collins + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 6.2% | Fort Collins + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 18.7% | Casper + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 9.4% | Fort Collins + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 20.3% | Casper + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 9.9% | Fort Collins + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Casper
47.3°F
Casper +
Fort Collins
50.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Casper
12.5 in
Casper +
Fort Collins
16.1 in
| Metric | Casper, WY | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3°F | 50.3°F | Casper + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.5 in | 16.1 in | Casper + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Casper
3.9 µg/m³
Casper +
Fort Collins
6.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Casper
75.0%
Fort Collins
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Casper, WY | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 3.9 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Casper + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Casper
N/A
Fort Collins
21.8 min
| Metric | Casper, WY | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 21.8 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Casper offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $308,116. On public safety, Casper is safer with a violent crime rate of 222 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Fort Collins. Casper has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 3.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Collins scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.8%.
Compare More Cities
Casper, WY vs New York, NYCasper, WY vs Los Angeles, CACasper, WY vs Chicago, ILCasper, WY vs Houston, TXCasper, WY vs Phoenix, AZCasper, WY vs Philadelphia, PA