Fort Collins CO vs Fort Lauderdale FL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Fort Collins, CO
Colorado · Population: 169,705
- Median HH Income$83,598
- Median Home Price$568,389
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+59.9%
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Florida · Population: 183,032
- Median HH Income$79,935
- Median Home Price$510,297
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Collins
169,705
Fort Lauderdale
183,032
Fort Lauderdale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Collins
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Median Age
Fort Collins
30.6
Fort Collins +
Fort Lauderdale
42.9
Foreign Born
Fort Collins
6.6%
Fort Lauderdale
26.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
White
Fort Collins
81.7%
Fort Collins +
Fort Lauderdale
51.3%
Black
Fort Collins
1.4%
Fort Lauderdale
28.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Asian
Fort Collins
3.4%
Fort Collins +
Fort Lauderdale
1.6%
Hispanic
Fort Collins
12.3%
Fort Lauderdale
20.1%
Fort Lauderdale +
Spanish at Home
Fort Collins
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,705 | 183,032 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.6 | 42.9 | Fort Collins + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 26.7% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| White | 81.7% | 51.3% | Fort Collins + |
| Black | 1.4% | 28.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 1.6% | Fort Collins + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 20.1% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Collins
$83,598
Fort Collins +
Fort Lauderdale
$79,935
Per Capita Income
Fort Collins
$46,341
Fort Lauderdale
$57,845
Fort Lauderdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Collins
$76,653
Fort Collins +
Fort Lauderdale
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Fort Collins
5.2%
Fort Collins +
Fort Lauderdale
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Fort Collins
16.0%
Fort Lauderdale
15.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Collins
59.9%
Fort Collins +
Fort Lauderdale
39.8%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,598 | $79,935 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,341 | $57,845 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $65,328 | Fort Collins + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.3% | Fort Collins + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 15.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.9% | 39.8% | Fort Collins + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Collins
$568,389
Fort Lauderdale
$510,297
Fort Lauderdale +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Collins
52.1%
Fort Lauderdale
53.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $568,389 | $510,297 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.1% | 53.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
512
Fort Lauderdale
324
Fort Lauderdale +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
3234
Fort Lauderdale
1453
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 324 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1453 | Fort Lauderdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
23.8%
Fort Collins +
Fort Lauderdale
30.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
6.2%
Fort Collins +
Fort Lauderdale
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Collins
18.7%
Fort Lauderdale
16.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
9.4%
Fort Collins +
Fort Lauderdale
14.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
20.3%
Fort Lauderdale
14.9%
Fort Lauderdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
9.9%
Fort Collins +
Fort Lauderdale
13.0%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.8% | 30.3% | Fort Collins + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 12.8% | Fort Collins + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.7% | 16.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 14.7% | Fort Collins + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 14.9% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 13.0% | Fort Collins + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Collins
50.3°F
Fort Collins +
Fort Lauderdale
75.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Collins
16.1 in
Fort Collins +
Fort Lauderdale
66.5 in
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 75.5°F | Fort Collins + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.1 in | 66.5 in | Fort Collins + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
6.2 µg/m³
Fort Collins +
Fort Lauderdale
7.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Collins
75.0%
Fort Lauderdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Fort Collins + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Collins
21.8 min
Fort Collins +
Fort Lauderdale
28.5 min
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.8 min | 28.5 min | Fort Collins + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Collins leads in median household income at $83,598, while fort Lauderdale offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $510,297. On public safety, Fort Lauderdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 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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