Elk Grove 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)
Elk Grove, CA
California · Population: 177,221
- Median HH Income$122,229
- Median Home Price$637,623
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+38.0%
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
Elk Grove
177,221
Elk Grove +
Fort Collins
169,705
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elk Grove
N/A
Fort Collins
N/A
Median Age
Elk Grove
39.0
Fort Collins
30.6
Fort Collins +
Foreign Born
Elk Grove
25.0%
Elk Grove +
Fort Collins
6.6%
White
Elk Grove
34.9%
Fort Collins
81.7%
Fort Collins +
Black
Elk Grove
10.9%
Elk Grove +
Fort Collins
1.4%
Asian
Elk Grove
31.8%
Elk Grove +
Fort Collins
3.4%
Hispanic
Elk Grove
18.0%
Elk Grove +
Fort Collins
12.3%
Spanish at Home
Elk Grove
N/A
Fort Collins
N/A
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,221 | 169,705 | Elk Grove + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 30.6 | Fort Collins + |
| Foreign Born | 25.0% | 6.6% | Elk Grove + |
| White | 34.9% | 81.7% | Fort Collins + |
| Black | 10.9% | 1.4% | Elk Grove + |
| Asian | 31.8% | 3.4% | Elk Grove + |
| Hispanic | 18.0% | 12.3% | Elk Grove + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elk Grove
$122,229
Elk Grove +
Fort Collins
$83,598
Per Capita Income
Elk Grove
$44,932
Fort Collins
$46,341
Fort Collins +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elk Grove
$77,230
Elk Grove +
Fort Collins
$76,653
Unemployment Rate
Elk Grove
6.7%
Fort Collins
5.2%
Fort Collins +
Poverty Rate
Elk Grove
7.4%
Elk Grove +
Fort Collins
16.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elk Grove
38.0%
Fort Collins
59.9%
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $122,229 | $83,598 | Elk Grove + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,932 | $46,341 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,653 | Elk Grove + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 5.2% | Fort Collins + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 16.0% | Elk Grove + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.0% | 59.9% | Fort Collins + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elk Grove
$637,623
Fort Collins
$568,389
Fort Collins +
Homeownership Rate
Elk Grove
73.9%
Elk Grove +
Fort Collins
52.1%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $637,623 | $568,389 | Fort Collins + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.9% | 52.1% | Elk Grove + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
503
Elk Grove +
Fort Collins
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
2388
Elk Grove +
Fort Collins
3234
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 512 | Elk Grove + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3234 | Elk Grove + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
26.2%
Fort Collins
23.8%
Fort Collins +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
10.9%
Fort Collins
6.2%
Fort Collins +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elk Grove
15.9%
Elk Grove +
Fort Collins
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
6.7%
Elk Grove +
Fort Collins
9.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
13.2%
Elk Grove +
Fort Collins
20.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
10.1%
Fort Collins
9.9%
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 23.8% | Fort Collins + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 6.2% | Fort Collins + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 18.7% | Elk Grove + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.7% | 9.4% | Elk Grove + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 20.3% | Elk Grove + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 9.9% | Fort Collins + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elk Grove
N/A
Fort Collins
50.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elk Grove
N/A
Fort Collins
16.1 in
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | 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.)
Elk Grove
7.9 µg/m³
Fort Collins
6.2 µg/m³
Fort Collins +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elk Grove
75.0%
Fort Collins
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elk Grove, 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
Elk Grove
33.7 min
Fort Collins
21.8 min
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.7 min | 21.8 min | Fort Collins + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elk Grove leads in median household income at $122,229, while fort Collins offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $568,389. On public safety, Elk Grove 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%.
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