Fort Collins CO vs High Point NC — 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%
High Point, NC
North Carolina · Population: 115,263
- Median HH Income$61,228
- Median Home Price$251,699
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+33.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Collins
169,705
Fort Collins +
High Point
115,263
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Collins
N/A
High Point
N/A
Median Age
Fort Collins
30.6
Fort Collins +
High Point
37.8
Foreign Born
Fort Collins
6.6%
High Point
14.2%
High Point +
White
Fort Collins
81.7%
Fort Collins +
High Point
46.1%
Black
Fort Collins
1.4%
High Point
32.7%
High Point +
Asian
Fort Collins
3.4%
High Point
8.2%
High Point +
Hispanic
Fort Collins
12.3%
Fort Collins +
High Point
12.3%
Spanish at Home
Fort Collins
N/A
High Point
N/A
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,705 | 115,263 | Fort Collins + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.6 | 37.8 | Fort Collins + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 14.2% | High Point + |
| White | 81.7% | 46.1% | Fort Collins + |
| Black | 1.4% | 32.7% | High Point + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 8.2% | High Point + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 12.3% | Fort Collins + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Collins
$83,598
Fort Collins +
High Point
$61,228
Per Capita Income
Fort Collins
$46,341
Fort Collins +
High Point
$34,492
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Collins
$76,653
Fort Collins +
High Point
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Fort Collins
5.2%
Fort Collins +
High Point
5.6%
Poverty Rate
Fort Collins
16.0%
High Point
14.7%
High Point +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Collins
59.9%
Fort Collins +
High Point
33.9%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,598 | $61,228 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,341 | $34,492 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $59,120 | Fort Collins + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.6% | Fort Collins + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 14.7% | High Point + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.9% | 33.9% | Fort Collins + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Collins
$568,389
High Point
$251,699
High Point +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Collins
52.1%
High Point
58.1%
High Point +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $568,389 | $251,699 | High Point + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.1% | 58.1% | High Point + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
512
High Point
398
High Point +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
3234
High Point
1999
High Point +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 398 | High Point + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1999 | High Point + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
23.8%
Fort Collins +
High Point
37.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
6.2%
Fort Collins +
High Point
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Collins
18.7%
High Point
17.2%
High Point +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
9.4%
Fort Collins +
High Point
11.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
20.3%
High Point
13.5%
High Point +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
9.9%
Fort Collins +
High Point
14.2%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.8% | 37.7% | Fort Collins + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 13.0% | Fort Collins + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.7% | 17.2% | High Point + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 11.8% | Fort Collins + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 13.5% | High Point + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 14.2% | Fort Collins + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Collins
50.3°F
Fort Collins +
High Point
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Collins
16.1 in
Fort Collins +
High Point
46.1 in
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 60.6°F | Fort Collins + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.1 in | 46.1 in | Fort Collins + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
6.2 µg/m³
Fort Collins +
High Point
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Collins
75.0%
High Point
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 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 +
High Point
22.7 min
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.8 min | 22.7 min | Fort Collins + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Collins leads in median household income at $83,598, while high Point offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $251,699. On public safety, High Point is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 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
Fort Collins, CO vs New York, NYFort Collins, CO vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Fort Collins, COFort Collins, CO vs Houston, TXFort Collins, CO vs Phoenix, AZFort Collins, CO vs Philadelphia, PA