Columbus OH 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)
Columbus, OH
Ohio · Population: 906,480
- Median HH Income$65,327
- Median Home Price$248,749
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+38.2%
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
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
Fort Collins
169,705
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Fort Collins
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
33.0
Fort Collins
30.6
Fort Collins +
Foreign Born
Columbus
14.4%
Columbus +
Fort Collins
6.6%
White
Columbus
53.3%
Fort Collins
81.7%
Fort Collins +
Black
Columbus
29.0%
Columbus +
Fort Collins
1.4%
Asian
Columbus
5.8%
Columbus +
Fort Collins
3.4%
Hispanic
Columbus
7.9%
Fort Collins
12.3%
Fort Collins +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Fort Collins
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 169,705 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 30.6 | Fort Collins + |
| Foreign Born | 14.4% | 6.6% | Columbus + |
| White | 53.3% | 81.7% | Fort Collins + |
| Black | 29.0% | 1.4% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 3.4% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 12.3% | Fort Collins + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$65,327
Fort Collins
$83,598
Fort Collins +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$37,189
Fort Collins
$46,341
Fort Collins +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$58,300
Fort Collins
$76,653
Fort Collins +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
5.1%
Columbus +
Fort Collins
5.2%
Poverty Rate
Columbus
17.8%
Fort Collins
16.0%
Fort Collins +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
38.2%
Fort Collins
59.9%
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,327 | $83,598 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,189 | $46,341 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $76,653 | Fort Collins + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.2% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.8% | 16.0% | Fort Collins + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.2% | 59.9% | Fort Collins + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$248,749
Columbus +
Fort Collins
$568,389
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
44.3%
Fort Collins
52.1%
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,749 | $568,389 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 52.1% | Fort Collins + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
319
Columbus +
Fort Collins
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1866
Columbus +
Fort Collins
3234
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 512 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 3234 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
34.7%
Fort Collins
23.8%
Fort Collins +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
11.8%
Fort Collins
6.2%
Fort Collins +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.8%
Fort Collins
18.7%
Fort Collins +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
9.7%
Fort Collins
9.4%
Fort Collins +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
18.1%
Columbus +
Fort Collins
20.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.2%
Fort Collins
9.9%
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 23.8% | Fort Collins + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 6.2% | Fort Collins + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 18.7% | Fort Collins + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 9.4% | Fort Collins + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 20.3% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 9.9% | Fort Collins + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
N/A
Fort Collins
50.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
40.2 in
Fort Collins
16.1 in
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 50.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.2 in | 16.1 in | Fort Collins + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Fort Collins
6.2 µg/m³
Fort Collins +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Fort Collins
75.0%
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Fort Collins + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Fort Collins + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
23.4 min
Fort Collins
21.8 min
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 21.8 min | Fort Collins + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Collins leads in median household income at $83,598, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $248,749. On public safety, Columbus is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Fort Collins. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, 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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