Dallas TX 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)
Dallas, TX
Texas · Population: 1,299,553
- Median HH Income$67,760
- Median Home Price$311,957
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+37.4%
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
Dallas
1,299,553
Dallas +
Fort Collins
169,705
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dallas
N/A
Fort Collins
N/A
Median Age
Dallas
33.4
Fort Collins
30.6
Fort Collins +
Foreign Born
Dallas
23.4%
Dallas +
Fort Collins
6.6%
White
Dallas
41.9%
Fort Collins
81.7%
Fort Collins +
Black
Dallas
23.7%
Dallas +
Fort Collins
1.4%
Asian
Dallas
3.7%
Dallas +
Fort Collins
3.4%
Hispanic
Dallas
41.9%
Dallas +
Fort Collins
12.3%
Spanish at Home
Dallas
N/A
Fort Collins
N/A
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,299,553 | 169,705 | Dallas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 30.6 | Fort Collins + |
| Foreign Born | 23.4% | 6.6% | Dallas + |
| White | 41.9% | 81.7% | Fort Collins + |
| Black | 23.7% | 1.4% | Dallas + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 3.4% | Dallas + |
| Hispanic | 41.9% | 12.3% | Dallas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dallas
$67,760
Fort Collins
$83,598
Fort Collins +
Per Capita Income
Dallas
$44,138
Fort Collins
$46,341
Fort Collins +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dallas
$63,758
Fort Collins
$76,653
Fort Collins +
Unemployment Rate
Dallas
4.9%
Dallas +
Fort Collins
5.2%
Poverty Rate
Dallas
17.2%
Fort Collins
16.0%
Fort Collins +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dallas
37.4%
Fort Collins
59.9%
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,760 | $83,598 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,138 | $46,341 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $76,653 | Fort Collins + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.2% | Dallas + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 16.0% | Fort Collins + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.4% | 59.9% | Fort Collins + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dallas
$311,957
Dallas +
Fort Collins
$568,389
Homeownership Rate
Dallas
42.4%
Fort Collins
52.1%
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $311,957 | $568,389 | Dallas + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.4% | 52.1% | Fort Collins + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
442
Dallas +
Fort Collins
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
2339
Dallas +
Fort Collins
3234
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 512 | Dallas + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3234 | Dallas + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
36.8%
Fort Collins
23.8%
Fort Collins +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
12.4%
Fort Collins
6.2%
Fort Collins +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dallas
17.8%
Dallas +
Fort Collins
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dallas
22.7%
Fort Collins
9.4%
Fort Collins +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dallas
17.4%
Dallas +
Fort Collins
20.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dallas
13.0%
Fort Collins
9.9%
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 23.8% | Fort Collins + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 6.2% | Fort Collins + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 18.7% | Dallas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.7% | 9.4% | Fort Collins + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 20.3% | Dallas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 9.9% | Fort Collins + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
65.9°F
Fort Collins
50.3°F
Fort Collins +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
40.6 in
Fort Collins
16.1 in
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 50.3°F | Fort Collins + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.6 in | 16.1 in | Fort Collins + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dallas
9.2 µg/m³
Fort Collins
6.2 µg/m³
Fort Collins +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dallas
55.0%
Fort Collins
75.0%
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Fort Collins + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Fort Collins + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dallas
28.3 min
Fort Collins
21.8 min
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 21.8 min | Fort Collins + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Collins leads in median household income at $83,598, while dallas offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $311,957. On public safety, Dallas is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Fort Collins. Dallas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, 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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