Chicago IL 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)
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
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
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Fort Collins
169,705
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Fort Collins
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Fort Collins
30.6
Fort Collins +
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
Fort Collins
6.6%
White
Chicago
39.1%
Fort Collins
81.7%
Fort Collins +
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Fort Collins
1.4%
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
Fort Collins
3.4%
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Fort Collins
12.3%
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Fort Collins
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 169,705 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 30.6 | Fort Collins + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 6.6% | Chicago + |
| White | 39.1% | 81.7% | Fort Collins + |
| Black | 28.4% | 1.4% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 3.4% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 12.3% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Fort Collins
$83,598
Fort Collins +
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Fort Collins
$46,341
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Fort Collins
$76,653
Fort Collins +
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Fort Collins
5.2%
Fort Collins +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Fort Collins
16.0%
Fort Collins +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Fort Collins
59.9%
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $83,598 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $46,341 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $76,653 | Fort Collins + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 5.2% | Fort Collins + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 16.0% | Fort Collins + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 59.9% | Fort Collins + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
Fort Collins
$568,389
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Fort Collins
52.1%
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $568,389 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 52.1% | Fort Collins + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Chicago +
Fort Collins
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
Fort Collins
3234
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 512 | Chicago + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 3234 | Chicago + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Fort Collins
23.8%
Fort Collins +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Fort Collins
6.2%
Fort Collins +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
Fort Collins
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Fort Collins
9.4%
Fort Collins +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Chicago +
Fort Collins
20.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Fort Collins
9.9%
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 23.8% | Fort Collins + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 6.2% | Fort Collins + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 18.7% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 9.4% | Fort Collins + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 20.3% | Chicago + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 9.9% | Fort Collins + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Chicago +
Fort Collins
50.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Fort Collins
16.1 in
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 50.3°F | Chicago + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 16.1 in | Fort Collins + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Fort Collins
6.2 µg/m³
Fort Collins +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Fort Collins
75.0%
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Fort Collins + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Fort Collins + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Fort Collins
21.8 min
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 21.8 min | Fort Collins + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Collins leads in median household income at $83,598, while chicago offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,183. On public safety, Chicago is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Fort Collins. 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, Fort Collins scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.8%.
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