Dayton 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)
Dayton, OH
Ohio · Population: 136,741
- Median HH Income$43,454
- Median Home Price$138,867
- Unemployment9.7%
- Bachelor's+20.7%
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
Dayton
136,741
Fort Collins
169,705
Fort Collins +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
Fort Collins
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Fort Collins
30.6
Fort Collins +
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
Fort Collins
6.6%
Fort Collins +
White
Dayton
51.3%
Fort Collins
81.7%
Fort Collins +
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Fort Collins
1.4%
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
Fort Collins
3.4%
Fort Collins +
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
Fort Collins
12.3%
Fort Collins +
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
Fort Collins
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 169,705 | Fort Collins + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 30.6 | Fort Collins + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 6.6% | Fort Collins + |
| White | 51.3% | 81.7% | Fort Collins + |
| Black | 38.0% | 1.4% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 3.4% | Fort Collins + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 12.3% | Fort Collins + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
Fort Collins
$83,598
Fort Collins +
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
Fort Collins
$46,341
Fort Collins +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
Fort Collins
$76,653
Fort Collins +
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
Fort Collins
5.2%
Fort Collins +
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
Fort Collins
16.0%
Fort Collins +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
Fort Collins
59.9%
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $83,598 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $46,341 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $76,653 | Fort Collins + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 5.2% | Fort Collins + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 16.0% | Fort Collins + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 59.9% | Fort Collins + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Fort Collins
$568,389
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
Fort Collins
52.1%
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $568,389 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 52.1% | Fort Collins + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Fort Collins
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Dayton +
Fort Collins
3234
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 512 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 3234 | Dayton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
42.9%
Fort Collins
23.8%
Fort Collins +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
Fort Collins
6.2%
Fort Collins +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
Fort Collins
18.7%
Fort Collins +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Fort Collins
9.4%
Fort Collins +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
Fort Collins
20.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
Fort Collins
9.9%
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | 23.8% | Fort Collins + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 6.2% | Fort Collins + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | 18.7% | Fort Collins + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 9.4% | Fort Collins + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 20.3% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 9.9% | Fort Collins + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
Fort Collins
50.3°F
Fort Collins +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
Fort Collins
16.1 in
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1°F | 50.3°F | Fort Collins + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.3 in | 16.1 in | Fort Collins + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Fort Collins
6.2 µg/m³
Fort Collins +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
Fort Collins
75.0%
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Dayton, 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
Dayton
22.2 min
Fort Collins
21.8 min
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 21.8 min | Fort Collins + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Collins leads in median household income at $83,598, while dayton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $138,867. On public safety, Dayton is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 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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