Fort Collins CO vs Grand Prairie TX — 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 Prairie, TX
Texas · Population: 198,564
- Median HH Income$78,889
- Median Home Price$318,759
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+29.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Collins
169,705
Grand Prairie
198,564
Grand Prairie +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Collins
N/A
Grand Prairie
N/A
Median Age
Fort Collins
30.6
Fort Collins +
Grand Prairie
33.5
Foreign Born
Fort Collins
6.6%
Grand Prairie
23.7%
Grand Prairie +
White
Fort Collins
81.7%
Fort Collins +
Grand Prairie
32.9%
Black
Fort Collins
1.4%
Grand Prairie
24.6%
Grand Prairie +
Asian
Fort Collins
3.4%
Grand Prairie
6.5%
Grand Prairie +
Hispanic
Fort Collins
12.3%
Grand Prairie
47.2%
Grand Prairie +
Spanish at Home
Fort Collins
N/A
Grand Prairie
N/A
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Grand Prairie, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,705 | 198,564 | Grand Prairie + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.6 | 33.5 | Fort Collins + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 23.7% | Grand Prairie + |
| White | 81.7% | 32.9% | Fort Collins + |
| Black | 1.4% | 24.6% | Grand Prairie + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 6.5% | Grand Prairie + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 47.2% | Grand Prairie + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Collins
$83,598
Fort Collins +
Grand Prairie
$78,889
Per Capita Income
Fort Collins
$46,341
Fort Collins +
Grand Prairie
$34,348
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Collins
$76,653
Fort Collins +
Grand Prairie
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Fort Collins
5.2%
Grand Prairie
5.1%
Grand Prairie +
Poverty Rate
Fort Collins
16.0%
Grand Prairie
12.0%
Grand Prairie +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Collins
59.9%
Fort Collins +
Grand Prairie
29.0%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Grand Prairie, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,598 | $78,889 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,341 | $34,348 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $63,758 | Fort Collins + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.1% | Grand Prairie + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 12.0% | Grand Prairie + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.9% | 29.0% | Fort Collins + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Collins
$568,389
Grand Prairie
$318,759
Grand Prairie +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Collins
52.1%
Grand Prairie
57.9%
Grand Prairie +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Grand Prairie, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $568,389 | $318,759 | Grand Prairie + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.1% | 57.9% | Grand Prairie + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
512
Grand Prairie
442
Grand Prairie +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
3234
Grand Prairie
2339
Grand Prairie +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Grand Prairie, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 442 | Grand Prairie + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2339 | Grand Prairie + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
23.8%
Fort Collins +
Grand Prairie
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
6.2%
Fort Collins +
Grand Prairie
12.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Collins
18.7%
Grand Prairie
17.6%
Grand Prairie +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
9.4%
Fort Collins +
Grand Prairie
22.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
20.3%
Grand Prairie
16.4%
Grand Prairie +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
9.9%
Fort Collins +
Grand Prairie
12.9%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Grand Prairie, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.8% | 35.8% | Fort Collins + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 12.5% | Fort Collins + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.7% | 17.6% | Grand Prairie + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 22.3% | Fort Collins + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 16.4% | Grand Prairie + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 12.9% | Fort Collins + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Collins
50.3°F
Grand Prairie
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Collins
16.1 in
Grand Prairie
N/A
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Grand Prairie, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
6.2 µg/m³
Fort Collins +
Grand Prairie
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Collins
75.0%
Fort Collins +
Grand Prairie
55.0%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Grand Prairie, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Fort Collins + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Fort Collins + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Collins
21.8 min
Fort Collins +
Grand Prairie
30.5 min
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Grand Prairie, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.8 min | 30.5 min | Fort Collins + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Collins leads in median household income at $83,598, while grand Prairie offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $318,759. On public safety, Grand Prairie is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Fort Collins. Grand Prairie has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, 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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