Colorado Springs CO 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)
Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado · Population: 483,099
- Median HH Income$83,198
- Median Home Price$451,202
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
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
Colorado Springs
483,099
Colorado Springs +
Fort Collins
169,705
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Colorado Springs
N/A
Fort Collins
N/A
Median Age
Colorado Springs
35.6
Fort Collins
30.6
Fort Collins +
Foreign Born
Colorado Springs
7.4%
Colorado Springs +
Fort Collins
6.6%
White
Colorado Springs
72.3%
Fort Collins
81.7%
Fort Collins +
Black
Colorado Springs
5.8%
Colorado Springs +
Fort Collins
1.4%
Asian
Colorado Springs
3.0%
Fort Collins
3.4%
Fort Collins +
Hispanic
Colorado Springs
18.7%
Colorado Springs +
Fort Collins
12.3%
Spanish at Home
Colorado Springs
N/A
Fort Collins
N/A
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 483,099 | 169,705 | Colorado Springs + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 30.6 | Fort Collins + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 6.6% | Colorado Springs + |
| White | 72.3% | 81.7% | Fort Collins + |
| Black | 5.8% | 1.4% | Colorado Springs + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 3.4% | Fort Collins + |
| Hispanic | 18.7% | 12.3% | Colorado Springs + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Colorado Springs
$83,198
Fort Collins
$83,598
Fort Collins +
Per Capita Income
Colorado Springs
$44,893
Fort Collins
$46,341
Fort Collins +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Colorado Springs
$76,653
Fort Collins
$76,653
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Colorado Springs
5.5%
Fort Collins
5.2%
Fort Collins +
Poverty Rate
Colorado Springs
9.3%
Colorado Springs +
Fort Collins
16.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Colorado Springs
41.9%
Fort Collins
59.9%
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,198 | $83,598 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,893 | $46,341 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $76,653 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.2% | Fort Collins + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 16.0% | Colorado Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 59.9% | Fort Collins + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Colorado Springs
$451,202
Colorado Springs +
Fort Collins
$568,389
Homeownership Rate
Colorado Springs
61.3%
Colorado Springs +
Fort Collins
52.1%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $451,202 | $568,389 | Colorado Springs + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.3% | 52.1% | Colorado Springs + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
512
Fort Collins
512
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
3234
Fort Collins
3234
Tie
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 512 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 3234 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
28.4%
Fort Collins
23.8%
Fort Collins +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.0%
Fort Collins
6.2%
Fort Collins +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Colorado Springs
18.0%
Colorado Springs +
Fort Collins
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.9%
Fort Collins
9.4%
Fort Collins +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
16.5%
Colorado Springs +
Fort Collins
20.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
11.0%
Fort Collins
9.9%
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.4% | 23.8% | Fort Collins + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 6.2% | Fort Collins + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 18.7% | Colorado Springs + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 9.4% | Fort Collins + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 20.3% | Colorado Springs + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 9.9% | Fort Collins + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
49.0°F
Colorado Springs +
Fort Collins
50.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
16.5 in
Fort Collins
16.1 in
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.0°F | 50.3°F | Colorado Springs + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.5 in | 16.1 in | Fort Collins + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
6.2 µg/m³
Fort Collins
6.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Colorado Springs
75.0%
Fort Collins
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Colorado Springs
24.1 min
Fort Collins
21.8 min
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 21.8 min | Fort Collins + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Collins leads in median household income at $83,598, while colorado Springs offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $451,202. On public safety, Fort Collins is safer with a violent crime rate of 512 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Colorado Springs. 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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