Des Moines IA 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)
Des Moines, IA
Iowa · Population: 212,464
- Median HH Income$63,966
- Median Home Price$210,703
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+29.0%
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
Des Moines
212,464
Des Moines +
Fort Collins
169,705
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
Fort Collins
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
Fort Collins
30.6
Fort Collins +
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
Des Moines +
Fort Collins
6.6%
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Fort Collins
81.7%
Fort Collins +
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
Des Moines +
Fort Collins
1.4%
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
Fort Collins
3.4%
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
Des Moines +
Fort Collins
12.3%
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
Fort Collins
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 169,705 | Des Moines + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 30.6 | Fort Collins + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 6.6% | Des Moines + |
| White | 66.9% | 81.7% | Fort Collins + |
| Black | 12.0% | 1.4% | Des Moines + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 3.4% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 12.3% | Des Moines + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
Fort Collins
$83,598
Fort Collins +
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
Fort Collins
$46,341
Fort Collins +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
Fort Collins
$76,653
Fort Collins +
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
Fort Collins
5.2%
Fort Collins +
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
Des Moines +
Fort Collins
16.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
Fort Collins
59.9%
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $83,598 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $46,341 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $76,653 | Fort Collins + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 5.2% | Fort Collins + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 16.0% | Des Moines + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 59.9% | Fort Collins + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Fort Collins
$568,389
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
Fort Collins
52.1%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $568,389 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 52.1% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Fort Collins
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
Fort Collins
3234
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 512 | Des Moines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 3234 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
39.4%
Fort Collins
23.8%
Fort Collins +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
Fort Collins
6.2%
Fort Collins +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
Fort Collins
18.7%
Fort Collins +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
Fort Collins
9.4%
Fort Collins +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
Des Moines +
Fort Collins
20.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
Fort Collins
9.9%
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 23.8% | Fort Collins + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 6.2% | Fort Collins + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 18.7% | Fort Collins + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 9.4% | Fort Collins + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 20.3% | Des Moines + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 9.9% | Fort Collins + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
Des Moines +
Fort Collins
50.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
Fort Collins
16.1 in
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 50.3°F | Des Moines + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.6 in | 16.1 in | Fort Collins + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Fort Collins
6.2 µg/m³
Fort Collins +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
Fort Collins
75.0%
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Fort Collins + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Fort Collins + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
Fort Collins
21.8 min
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 21.8 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Collins leads in median household income at $83,598, while des Moines offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,703. On public safety, Des Moines is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 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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