Elizabeth NJ 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)
Elizabeth, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 135,887
- Median HH Income$63,874
- Median Home Price$531,592
- Unemployment6.9%
- Bachelor's+14.2%
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
Elizabeth
135,887
Fort Collins
169,705
Fort Collins +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Fort Collins
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Fort Collins
30.6
Fort Collins +
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Fort Collins
6.6%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Fort Collins
81.7%
Fort Collins +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Elizabeth +
Fort Collins
1.4%
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Fort Collins
3.4%
Fort Collins +
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Fort Collins
12.3%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Fort Collins
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 169,705 | Fort Collins + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 30.6 | Fort Collins + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 6.6% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 81.7% | Fort Collins + |
| Black | 17.1% | 1.4% | Elizabeth + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 3.4% | Fort Collins + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 12.3% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Fort Collins
$83,598
Fort Collins +
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Fort Collins
$46,341
Fort Collins +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Fort Collins
$76,653
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Fort Collins
5.2%
Fort Collins +
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Elizabeth +
Fort Collins
16.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Fort Collins
59.9%
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $83,598 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $46,341 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $76,653 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 5.2% | Fort Collins + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 16.0% | Elizabeth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 59.9% | Fort Collins + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Elizabeth +
Fort Collins
$568,389
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Fort Collins
52.1%
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $568,389 | Elizabeth + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 52.1% | Fort Collins + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Fort Collins
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
Fort Collins
3234
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 512 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 3234 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
34.8%
Fort Collins
23.8%
Fort Collins +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Fort Collins
6.2%
Fort Collins +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Elizabeth +
Fort Collins
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Fort Collins
9.4%
Fort Collins +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
Fort Collins
20.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Fort Collins
9.9%
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 23.8% | Fort Collins + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 6.2% | Fort Collins + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 18.7% | Elizabeth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 9.4% | Fort Collins + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 20.3% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 9.9% | Fort Collins + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Fort Collins
50.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Fort Collins
16.1 in
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 50.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 16.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Fort Collins
6.2 µg/m³
Fort Collins +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Fort Collins
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Fort Collins + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Fort Collins
21.8 min
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 21.8 min | Fort Collins + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Collins leads in median household income at $83,598, while elizabeth offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $531,592. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 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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