Denver 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)
Denver, CO
Colorado · Population: 713,734
- Median HH Income$91,681
- Median Home Price$541,899
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+55.6%
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
Denver
713,734
Denver +
Fort Collins
169,705
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Denver
N/A
Fort Collins
N/A
Median Age
Denver
35.2
Fort Collins
30.6
Fort Collins +
Foreign Born
Denver
13.9%
Denver +
Fort Collins
6.6%
White
Denver
62.9%
Fort Collins
81.7%
Fort Collins +
Black
Denver
8.8%
Denver +
Fort Collins
1.4%
Asian
Denver
3.6%
Denver +
Fort Collins
3.4%
Hispanic
Denver
27.9%
Denver +
Fort Collins
12.3%
Spanish at Home
Denver
N/A
Fort Collins
N/A
| Metric | Denver, CO | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 713,734 | 169,705 | Denver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 30.6 | Fort Collins + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 6.6% | Denver + |
| White | 62.9% | 81.7% | Fort Collins + |
| Black | 8.8% | 1.4% | Denver + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 3.4% | Denver + |
| Hispanic | 27.9% | 12.3% | Denver + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Denver
$91,681
Denver +
Fort Collins
$83,598
Per Capita Income
Denver
$61,202
Denver +
Fort Collins
$46,341
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Denver
$76,653
Fort Collins
$76,653
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Denver
4.6%
Denver +
Fort Collins
5.2%
Poverty Rate
Denver
11.2%
Denver +
Fort Collins
16.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Denver
55.6%
Fort Collins
59.9%
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,681 | $83,598 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Income | $61,202 | $46,341 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $76,653 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 5.2% | Denver + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.2% | 16.0% | Denver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.6% | 59.9% | Fort Collins + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Denver
$541,899
Denver +
Fort Collins
$568,389
Homeownership Rate
Denver
49.1%
Fort Collins
52.1%
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $541,899 | $568,389 | Denver + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.1% | 52.1% | Fort Collins + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denver
512
Fort Collins
512
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denver
3234
Fort Collins
3234
Tie
| Metric | Denver, 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
Denver
21.6%
Denver +
Fort Collins
23.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Denver
7.1%
Fort Collins
6.2%
Fort Collins +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Denver
15.5%
Denver +
Fort Collins
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Denver
13.3%
Fort Collins
9.4%
Fort Collins +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Denver
25.9%
Fort Collins
20.3%
Fort Collins +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Denver
10.2%
Fort Collins
9.9%
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.6% | 23.8% | Denver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 6.2% | Fort Collins + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 18.7% | Denver + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 9.4% | Fort Collins + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 25.9% | 20.3% | Fort Collins + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 9.9% | Fort Collins + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denver
N/A
Fort Collins
50.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denver
17.2 in
Fort Collins
16.1 in
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 50.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.2 in | 16.1 in | Fort Collins + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Denver
6.2 µg/m³
Fort Collins
6.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Denver
75.0%
Fort Collins
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Denver, 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
Denver
27.4 min
Fort Collins
21.8 min
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.4 min | 21.8 min | Fort Collins + |
Which City is Right for You?
Denver leads in median household income at $91,681, while denver offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $541,899. On public safety, Fort Collins is safer with a violent crime rate of 512 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Denver. Denver has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Fort Collins has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Denver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.6%.
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