El Paso 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)
El Paso, TX
Texas · Population: 678,147
- Median HH Income$58,734
- Median Home Price$235,994
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
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
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Fort Collins
169,705
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
El Paso
N/A
Fort Collins
N/A
Median Age
El Paso
34.1
Fort Collins
30.6
Fort Collins +
Foreign Born
El Paso
22.3%
El Paso +
Fort Collins
6.6%
White
El Paso
39.3%
Fort Collins
81.7%
Fort Collins +
Black
El Paso
3.6%
El Paso +
Fort Collins
1.4%
Asian
El Paso
1.5%
Fort Collins
3.4%
Fort Collins +
Hispanic
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Fort Collins
12.3%
Spanish at Home
El Paso
N/A
Fort Collins
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 169,705 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 30.6 | Fort Collins + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 6.6% | El Paso + |
| White | 39.3% | 81.7% | Fort Collins + |
| Black | 3.6% | 1.4% | El Paso + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 3.4% | Fort Collins + |
| Hispanic | 81.3% | 12.3% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
El Paso
$58,734
Fort Collins
$83,598
Fort Collins +
Per Capita Income
El Paso
$28,942
Fort Collins
$46,341
Fort Collins +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
El Paso
$63,758
Fort Collins
$76,653
Fort Collins +
Unemployment Rate
El Paso
6.2%
Fort Collins
5.2%
Fort Collins +
Poverty Rate
El Paso
18.4%
Fort Collins
16.0%
Fort Collins +
Bachelor's Degree+
El Paso
27.5%
Fort Collins
59.9%
Fort Collins +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,734 | $83,598 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,942 | $46,341 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $76,653 | Fort Collins + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 5.2% | Fort Collins + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 16.0% | Fort Collins + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 59.9% | Fort Collins + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
El Paso
$235,994
El Paso +
Fort Collins
$568,389
Homeownership Rate
El Paso
60.2%
El Paso +
Fort Collins
52.1%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $235,994 | $568,389 | El Paso + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 52.1% | El Paso + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
442
El Paso +
Fort Collins
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
2339
El Paso +
Fort Collins
3234
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 512 | El Paso + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3234 | El Paso + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
33.8%
Fort Collins
23.8%
Fort Collins +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.4%
Fort Collins
6.2%
Fort Collins +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
El Paso
17.2%
El Paso +
Fort Collins
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
El Paso
27.9%
Fort Collins
9.4%
Fort Collins +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.5%
El Paso +
Fort Collins
20.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
El Paso
12.2%
Fort Collins
9.9%
Fort Collins +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 23.8% | Fort Collins + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 6.2% | Fort Collins + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 18.7% | El Paso + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 9.4% | Fort Collins + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 20.3% | El Paso + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 9.9% | Fort Collins + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
64.3°F
Fort Collins
50.3°F
Fort Collins +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
10.5 in
El Paso +
Fort Collins
16.1 in
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.3°F | 50.3°F | Fort Collins + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.5 in | 16.1 in | El Paso + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
Fort Collins
6.2 µg/m³
Fort Collins +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
El Paso
55.0%
Fort Collins
75.0%
Fort Collins +
| Metric | El Paso, 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
El Paso
25.1 min
Fort Collins
21.8 min
Fort Collins +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 21.8 min | Fort Collins + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Collins leads in median household income at $83,598, while el Paso offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $235,994. On public safety, El Paso is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 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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