Fort Collins CO vs Houston 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%
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Collins
169,705
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Collins
N/A
Houston
N/A
Median Age
Fort Collins
30.6
Fort Collins +
Houston
34.3
Foreign Born
Fort Collins
6.6%
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
White
Fort Collins
81.7%
Fort Collins +
Houston
35.5%
Black
Fort Collins
1.4%
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Asian
Fort Collins
3.4%
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Hispanic
Fort Collins
12.3%
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Spanish at Home
Fort Collins
N/A
Houston
N/A
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,705 | 2,300,419 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.6 | 34.3 | Fort Collins + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 28.8% | Houston + |
| White | 81.7% | 35.5% | Fort Collins + |
| Black | 1.4% | 22.9% | Houston + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 6.9% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 44.1% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Collins
$83,598
Fort Collins +
Houston
$62,894
Per Capita Income
Fort Collins
$46,341
Fort Collins +
Houston
$41,142
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Collins
$76,653
Fort Collins +
Houston
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Fort Collins
5.2%
Fort Collins +
Houston
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Fort Collins
16.0%
Fort Collins +
Houston
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Collins
59.9%
Fort Collins +
Houston
36.0%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,598 | $62,894 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,341 | $41,142 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $63,758 | Fort Collins + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 6.7% | Fort Collins + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 19.7% | Fort Collins + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.9% | 36.0% | Fort Collins + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Collins
$568,389
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Collins
52.1%
Fort Collins +
Houston
42.0%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $568,389 | $265,062 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.1% | 42.0% | Fort Collins + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
512
Houston
442
Houston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
3234
Houston
2339
Houston +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 442 | Houston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2339 | Houston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
23.8%
Fort Collins +
Houston
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
6.2%
Fort Collins +
Houston
13.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Collins
18.7%
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
9.4%
Fort Collins +
Houston
24.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
20.3%
Houston
16.7%
Houston +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
9.9%
Fort Collins +
Houston
13.6%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.8% | 38.0% | Fort Collins + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 13.9% | Fort Collins + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.7% | 17.1% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 24.0% | Fort Collins + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 16.7% | Houston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 13.6% | Fort Collins + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Collins
50.3°F
Houston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Collins
16.1 in
Fort Collins +
Houston
48.7 in
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.1 in | 48.7 in | Fort Collins + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
6.2 µg/m³
Fort Collins +
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Collins
75.0%
Fort Collins +
Houston
55.0%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Houston, 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 +
Houston
29.6 min
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.8 min | 29.6 min | Fort Collins + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Collins leads in median household income at $83,598, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, Houston is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 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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