Cheyenne 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)
Cheyenne, WY
Wyoming · Population: 58,754
- Median HH Income$69,171
- Median Home Price$388,590
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+30.0%
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
Cheyenne
58,754
Fort Collins
169,705
Fort Collins +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cheyenne
N/A
Fort Collins
N/A
Median Age
Cheyenne
37.0
Fort Collins
30.6
Fort Collins +
Foreign Born
Cheyenne
2.1%
Fort Collins
6.6%
Fort Collins +
White
Cheyenne
89.9%
Cheyenne +
Fort Collins
81.7%
Black
Cheyenne
0.6%
Fort Collins
1.4%
Fort Collins +
Asian
Cheyenne
0.5%
Fort Collins
3.4%
Fort Collins +
Hispanic
Cheyenne
8.9%
Fort Collins
12.3%
Fort Collins +
Spanish at Home
Cheyenne
N/A
Fort Collins
N/A
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 58,754 | 169,705 | Fort Collins + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 30.6 | Fort Collins + |
| Foreign Born | 2.1% | 6.6% | Fort Collins + |
| White | 89.9% | 81.7% | Cheyenne + |
| Black | 0.6% | 1.4% | Fort Collins + |
| Asian | 0.5% | 3.4% | Fort Collins + |
| Hispanic | 8.9% | 12.3% | Fort Collins + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cheyenne
$69,171
Fort Collins
$83,598
Fort Collins +
Per Capita Income
Cheyenne
$41,460
Fort Collins
$46,341
Fort Collins +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cheyenne
$77,800
Cheyenne +
Fort Collins
$76,653
Unemployment Rate
Cheyenne
3.9%
Cheyenne +
Fort Collins
5.2%
Poverty Rate
Cheyenne
11.2%
Cheyenne +
Fort Collins
16.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cheyenne
30.0%
Fort Collins
59.9%
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $69,171 | $83,598 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,460 | $46,341 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,800 | $76,653 | Cheyenne + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 5.2% | Cheyenne + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.2% | 16.0% | Cheyenne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.0% | 59.9% | Fort Collins + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cheyenne
$388,590
Cheyenne +
Fort Collins
$568,389
Homeownership Rate
Cheyenne
70.3%
Cheyenne +
Fort Collins
52.1%
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $388,590 | $568,389 | Cheyenne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 70.3% | 52.1% | Cheyenne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cheyenne
222
Cheyenne +
Fort Collins
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cheyenne
1522
Cheyenne +
Fort Collins
3234
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 222 | 512 | Cheyenne + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1522 | 3234 | Cheyenne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
33.9%
Fort Collins
23.8%
Fort Collins +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
10.6%
Fort Collins
6.2%
Fort Collins +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cheyenne
16.2%
Cheyenne +
Fort Collins
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
12.4%
Fort Collins
9.4%
Fort Collins +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
14.2%
Cheyenne +
Fort Collins
20.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
13.3%
Fort Collins
9.9%
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 23.8% | Fort Collins + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 6.2% | Fort Collins + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 18.7% | Cheyenne + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 9.4% | Fort Collins + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 20.3% | Cheyenne + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 9.9% | Fort Collins + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cheyenne
46.3°F
Cheyenne +
Fort Collins
50.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cheyenne
16.3 in
Fort Collins
16.1 in
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3°F | 50.3°F | Cheyenne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | 16.1 in | Fort Collins + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cheyenne
3.9 µg/m³
Cheyenne +
Fort Collins
6.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cheyenne
75.0%
Fort Collins
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 3.9 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Cheyenne + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cheyenne
17.8 min
Cheyenne +
Fort Collins
21.8 min
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.8 min | 21.8 min | Cheyenne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Collins leads in median household income at $83,598, while cheyenne offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $388,590. On public safety, Cheyenne is safer with a violent crime rate of 222 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Fort Collins. Cheyenne has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Cheyenne 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%.
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