Flint MI 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)
Flint, MI
Michigan · Population: 80,835
- Median HH Income$36,194
- Median Home Price$65,949
- Unemployment17.4%
- Bachelor's+13.1%
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
Flint
80,835
Fort Collins
169,705
Fort Collins +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Flint
N/A
Fort Collins
N/A
Median Age
Flint
36.2
Fort Collins
30.6
Fort Collins +
Foreign Born
Flint
2.9%
Fort Collins
6.6%
Fort Collins +
White
Flint
34.4%
Fort Collins
81.7%
Fort Collins +
Black
Flint
56.6%
Flint +
Fort Collins
1.4%
Asian
Flint
0.6%
Fort Collins
3.4%
Fort Collins +
Hispanic
Flint
4.5%
Fort Collins
12.3%
Fort Collins +
Spanish at Home
Flint
N/A
Fort Collins
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 80,835 | 169,705 | Fort Collins + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 30.6 | Fort Collins + |
| Foreign Born | 2.9% | 6.6% | Fort Collins + |
| White | 34.4% | 81.7% | Fort Collins + |
| Black | 56.6% | 1.4% | Flint + |
| Asian | 0.6% | 3.4% | Fort Collins + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 12.3% | Fort Collins + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Flint
$36,194
Fort Collins
$83,598
Fort Collins +
Per Capita Income
Flint
$20,799
Fort Collins
$46,341
Fort Collins +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Flint
$58,052
Fort Collins
$76,653
Fort Collins +
Unemployment Rate
Flint
17.4%
Fort Collins
5.2%
Fort Collins +
Poverty Rate
Flint
34.4%
Fort Collins
16.0%
Fort Collins +
Bachelor's Degree+
Flint
13.1%
Fort Collins
59.9%
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $36,194 | $83,598 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Income | $20,799 | $46,341 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $76,653 | Fort Collins + |
| Unemployment Rate | 17.4% | 5.2% | Fort Collins + |
| Poverty Rate | 34.4% | 16.0% | Fort Collins + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.1% | 59.9% | Fort Collins + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Fort Collins
$568,389
Homeownership Rate
Flint
54.9%
Flint +
Fort Collins
52.1%
| Metric | Flint, MI | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $65,949 | $568,389 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% | 52.1% | Flint + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
471
Flint +
Fort Collins
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
1590
Flint +
Fort Collins
3234
| Metric | Flint, MI | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 512 | Flint + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 3234 | Flint + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
50.5%
Fort Collins
23.8%
Fort Collins +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
19.3%
Fort Collins
6.2%
Fort Collins +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Flint
23.5%
Fort Collins
18.7%
Fort Collins +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Flint
11.7%
Fort Collins
9.4%
Fort Collins +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Flint
12.2%
Flint +
Fort Collins
20.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Flint
25.3%
Fort Collins
9.9%
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 50.5% | 23.8% | Fort Collins + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 6.2% | Fort Collins + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 23.5% | 18.7% | Fort Collins + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 9.4% | Fort Collins + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 20.3% | Flint + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 9.9% | Fort Collins + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
47.0°F
Flint +
Fort Collins
50.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
31.7 in
Fort Collins
16.1 in
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0°F | 50.3°F | Flint + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.7 in | 16.1 in | Fort Collins + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
Fort Collins
6.2 µg/m³
Fort Collins +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Flint
55.0%
Fort Collins
75.0%
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Fort Collins + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Fort Collins + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Flint
25.0 min
Fort Collins
21.8 min
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 21.8 min | Fort Collins + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Collins leads in median household income at $83,598, while flint offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $65,949. On public safety, Flint is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 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
Flint, MI vs New York, NYFlint, MI vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Flint, MIFlint, MI vs Houston, TXFlint, MI vs Phoenix, AZFlint, MI vs Philadelphia, PA