Charlotte NC 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)
Charlotte, NC
North Carolina · Population: 886,283
- Median HH Income$78,438
- Median Home Price$399,070
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
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
Charlotte
886,283
Charlotte +
Fort Collins
169,705
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charlotte
N/A
Fort Collins
N/A
Median Age
Charlotte
34.4
Fort Collins
30.6
Fort Collins +
Foreign Born
Charlotte
18.1%
Charlotte +
Fort Collins
6.6%
White
Charlotte
41.5%
Fort Collins
81.7%
Fort Collins +
Black
Charlotte
34.1%
Charlotte +
Fort Collins
1.4%
Asian
Charlotte
6.3%
Charlotte +
Fort Collins
3.4%
Hispanic
Charlotte
17.0%
Charlotte +
Fort Collins
12.3%
Spanish at Home
Charlotte
N/A
Fort Collins
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 886,283 | 169,705 | Charlotte + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 30.6 | Fort Collins + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 6.6% | Charlotte + |
| White | 41.5% | 81.7% | Fort Collins + |
| Black | 34.1% | 1.4% | Charlotte + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 3.4% | Charlotte + |
| Hispanic | 17.0% | 12.3% | Charlotte + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charlotte
$78,438
Fort Collins
$83,598
Fort Collins +
Per Capita Income
Charlotte
$49,991
Charlotte +
Fort Collins
$46,341
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charlotte
$59,120
Fort Collins
$76,653
Fort Collins +
Unemployment Rate
Charlotte
4.4%
Charlotte +
Fort Collins
5.2%
Poverty Rate
Charlotte
11.7%
Charlotte +
Fort Collins
16.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charlotte
47.4%
Fort Collins
59.9%
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,438 | $83,598 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,991 | $46,341 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $76,653 | Fort Collins + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 5.2% | Charlotte + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 16.0% | Charlotte + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 59.9% | Fort Collins + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charlotte
$399,070
Charlotte +
Fort Collins
$568,389
Homeownership Rate
Charlotte
51.5%
Fort Collins
52.1%
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,070 | $568,389 | Charlotte + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 52.1% | Fort Collins + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
398
Charlotte +
Fort Collins
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
1999
Charlotte +
Fort Collins
3234
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 512 | Charlotte + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3234 | Charlotte + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
30.1%
Fort Collins
23.8%
Fort Collins +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
10.1%
Fort Collins
6.2%
Fort Collins +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charlotte
16.4%
Charlotte +
Fort Collins
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Fort Collins
9.4%
Fort Collins +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
15.4%
Charlotte +
Fort Collins
20.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Fort Collins
9.9%
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 23.8% | Fort Collins + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 6.2% | Fort Collins + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 18.7% | Charlotte + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 9.4% | Fort Collins + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 20.3% | Charlotte + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 9.9% | Fort Collins + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
59.9°F
Fort Collins
50.3°F
Fort Collins +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
41.6 in
Fort Collins
16.1 in
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.9°F | 50.3°F | Fort Collins + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.6 in | 16.1 in | Fort Collins + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charlotte
8.7 µg/m³
Fort Collins
6.2 µg/m³
Fort Collins +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charlotte
75.0%
Fort Collins
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Fort Collins + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charlotte
26.7 min
Fort Collins
21.8 min
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 21.8 min | Fort Collins + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Collins leads in median household income at $83,598, while charlotte offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $399,070. On public safety, Charlotte is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Fort Collins. Charlotte has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, 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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