Downey CA 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)
Downey, CA
California · Population: 114,617
- Median HH Income$68,378
- Median Home Price$888,820
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+10.6%
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
Downey
114,617
Fort Collins
169,705
Fort Collins +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Downey
N/A
Fort Collins
N/A
Median Age
Downey
34.0
Fort Collins
30.6
Fort Collins +
Foreign Born
Downey
39.4%
Downey +
Fort Collins
6.6%
White
Downey
21.0%
Fort Collins
81.7%
Fort Collins +
Black
Downey
0.4%
Fort Collins
1.4%
Fort Collins +
Asian
Downey
1.5%
Fort Collins
3.4%
Fort Collins +
Hispanic
Downey
95.6%
Downey +
Fort Collins
12.3%
Spanish at Home
Downey
N/A
Fort Collins
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,617 | 169,705 | Fort Collins + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 30.6 | Fort Collins + |
| Foreign Born | 39.4% | 6.6% | Downey + |
| White | 21.0% | 81.7% | Fort Collins + |
| Black | 0.4% | 1.4% | Fort Collins + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 3.4% | Fort Collins + |
| Hispanic | 95.6% | 12.3% | Downey + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Downey
$68,378
Fort Collins
$83,598
Fort Collins +
Per Capita Income
Downey
$23,265
Fort Collins
$46,341
Fort Collins +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Downey
$77,230
Downey +
Fort Collins
$76,653
Unemployment Rate
Downey
6.0%
Fort Collins
5.2%
Fort Collins +
Poverty Rate
Downey
16.6%
Fort Collins
16.0%
Fort Collins +
Bachelor's Degree+
Downey
10.6%
Fort Collins
59.9%
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,378 | $83,598 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Income | $23,265 | $46,341 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,653 | Downey + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.2% | Fort Collins + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 16.0% | Fort Collins + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 10.6% | 59.9% | Fort Collins + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Downey
$888,820
Fort Collins
$568,389
Fort Collins +
Homeownership Rate
Downey
33.7%
Fort Collins
52.1%
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $888,820 | $568,389 | Fort Collins + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | 52.1% | Fort Collins + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
503
Downey +
Fort Collins
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
2388
Downey +
Fort Collins
3234
| Metric | Downey, CA | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 512 | Downey + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3234 | Downey + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
27.6%
Fort Collins
23.8%
Fort Collins +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
11.8%
Fort Collins
6.2%
Fort Collins +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
Fort Collins
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Downey
14.8%
Fort Collins
9.4%
Fort Collins +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
Fort Collins
20.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Downey
9.9%
Fort Collins
9.9%
Tie
| Metric | Downey, CA | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.6% | 23.8% | Fort Collins + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 6.2% | Fort Collins + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 18.7% | Downey + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 9.4% | Fort Collins + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 20.3% | Downey + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 9.9% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
N/A
Fort Collins
50.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
14.3 in
Downey +
Fort Collins
16.1 in
| Metric | Downey, CA | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 50.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | 16.1 in | Downey + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Downey
7.9 µg/m³
Fort Collins
6.2 µg/m³
Fort Collins +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Downey
75.0%
Fort Collins
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Downey, CA | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Fort Collins + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Downey
33.1 min
Fort Collins
21.8 min
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 21.8 min | Fort Collins + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Collins leads in median household income at $83,598, while fort Collins offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $568,389. On public safety, Downey is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 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%.
Compare More Cities
Downey, CA vs New York, NYDowney, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Downey, CADowney, CA vs Houston, TXDowney, CA vs Phoenix, AZDowney, CA vs Philadelphia, PA