Chula Vista CA 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)
Chula Vista, CA
California · Population: 8,933
- Median HH Income$104,238
- Median Home Price$849,245
- Unemployment2.2%
- Bachelor's+26.9%
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
Chula Vista
8,933
Fort Collins
169,705
Fort Collins +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chula Vista
N/A
Fort Collins
N/A
Median Age
Chula Vista
42.9
Fort Collins
30.6
Fort Collins +
Foreign Born
Chula Vista
20.0%
Chula Vista +
Fort Collins
6.6%
White
Chula Vista
65.7%
Fort Collins
81.7%
Fort Collins +
Black
Chula Vista
0.7%
Fort Collins
1.4%
Fort Collins +
Asian
Chula Vista
0.7%
Fort Collins
3.4%
Fort Collins +
Hispanic
Chula Vista
36.5%
Chula Vista +
Fort Collins
12.3%
Spanish at Home
Chula Vista
N/A
Fort Collins
N/A
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,933 | 169,705 | Fort Collins + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 30.6 | Fort Collins + |
| Foreign Born | 20.0% | 6.6% | Chula Vista + |
| White | 65.7% | 81.7% | Fort Collins + |
| Black | 0.7% | 1.4% | Fort Collins + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 3.4% | Fort Collins + |
| Hispanic | 36.5% | 12.3% | Chula Vista + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chula Vista
$104,238
Chula Vista +
Fort Collins
$83,598
Per Capita Income
Chula Vista
$49,562
Chula Vista +
Fort Collins
$46,341
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chula Vista
$77,230
Chula Vista +
Fort Collins
$76,653
Unemployment Rate
Chula Vista
2.2%
Chula Vista +
Fort Collins
5.2%
Poverty Rate
Chula Vista
4.5%
Chula Vista +
Fort Collins
16.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chula Vista
26.9%
Fort Collins
59.9%
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,238 | $83,598 | Chula Vista + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,562 | $46,341 | Chula Vista + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,653 | Chula Vista + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.2% | 5.2% | Chula Vista + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.5% | 16.0% | Chula Vista + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.9% | 59.9% | Fort Collins + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chula Vista
$849,245
Fort Collins
$568,389
Fort Collins +
Homeownership Rate
Chula Vista
71.4%
Chula Vista +
Fort Collins
52.1%
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $849,245 | $568,389 | Fort Collins + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.4% | 52.1% | Chula Vista + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
503
Chula Vista +
Fort Collins
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
2388
Chula Vista +
Fort Collins
3234
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 512 | Chula Vista + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3234 | Chula Vista + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
26.6%
Fort Collins
23.8%
Fort Collins +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
11.4%
Fort Collins
6.2%
Fort Collins +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chula Vista
16.0%
Chula Vista +
Fort Collins
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
12.4%
Fort Collins
9.4%
Fort Collins +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
15.7%
Chula Vista +
Fort Collins
20.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
9.6%
Chula Vista +
Fort Collins
9.9%
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.6% | 23.8% | Fort Collins + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 6.2% | Fort Collins + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 18.7% | Chula Vista + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 9.4% | Fort Collins + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 20.3% | Chula Vista + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.9% | Chula Vista + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chula Vista
63.5°F
Fort Collins
50.3°F
Fort Collins +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chula Vista
9.8 in
Chula Vista +
Fort Collins
16.1 in
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.5°F | 50.3°F | Fort Collins + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 9.8 in | 16.1 in | Chula Vista + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
7.9 µg/m³
Fort Collins
6.2 µg/m³
Fort Collins +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chula Vista
75.0%
Fort Collins
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Fort Collins + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chula Vista
26.9 min
Fort Collins
21.8 min
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.9 min | 21.8 min | Fort Collins + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chula Vista leads in median household income at $104,238, while fort Collins offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $568,389. On public safety, Chula Vista is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Fort Collins. Chula Vista has a lower unemployment rate at 2.2%, 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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