Fort Collins CO vs Grand Island NE — 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%
Grand Island, NE
Nebraska · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$254,245
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Collins
169,705
Grand Island
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Collins
N/A
Grand Island
N/A
Median Age
Fort Collins
30.6
Grand Island
N/A
Foreign Born
Fort Collins
6.6%
Grand Island
N/A
White
Fort Collins
81.7%
Grand Island
N/A
Black
Fort Collins
1.4%
Grand Island
N/A
Asian
Fort Collins
3.4%
Grand Island
N/A
Hispanic
Fort Collins
12.3%
Grand Island
N/A
Spanish at Home
Fort Collins
N/A
Grand Island
N/A
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,705 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.6 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | N/A | - |
| White | 81.7% | N/A | - |
| Black | 1.4% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 3.4% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Collins
$83,598
Grand Island
N/A
Per Capita Income
Fort Collins
$46,341
Grand Island
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Collins
$76,653
Fort Collins +
Grand Island
$66,354
Unemployment Rate
Fort Collins
5.2%
Grand Island
N/A
Poverty Rate
Fort Collins
16.0%
Grand Island
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Collins
59.9%
Grand Island
N/A
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,598 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $46,341 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $66,354 | Fort Collins + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.9% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Collins
$568,389
Grand Island
$254,245
Grand Island +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Collins
52.1%
Grand Island
N/A
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $568,389 | $254,245 | Grand Island + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.1% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
512
Grand Island
294
Grand Island +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
3234
Grand Island
1960
Grand Island +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 294 | Grand Island + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1960 | Grand Island + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
23.8%
Fort Collins +
Grand Island
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
6.2%
Fort Collins +
Grand Island
11.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Collins
18.7%
Grand Island
14.4%
Grand Island +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
9.4%
Fort Collins +
Grand Island
17.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
20.3%
Grand Island
19.1%
Grand Island +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
9.9%
Fort Collins +
Grand Island
14.8%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.8% | 41.5% | Fort Collins + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 11.6% | Fort Collins + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.7% | 14.4% | Grand Island + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 17.5% | Fort Collins + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 19.1% | Grand Island + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 14.8% | Fort Collins + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Collins
50.3°F
Fort Collins +
Grand Island
50.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Collins
16.1 in
Fort Collins +
Grand Island
26.7 in
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 50.8°F | Fort Collins + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.1 in | 26.7 in | Fort Collins + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
6.2 µg/m³
Fort Collins +
Grand Island
7.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Collins
75.0%
Grand Island
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Fort Collins + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Collins
21.8 min
Grand Island
N/A
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.8 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Island offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $254,245. On public safety, Grand Island is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Fort Collins. 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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