Fort Collins CO vs Joliet IL — 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%
Joliet, IL
Illinois · Population: 149,785
- Median HH Income$88,026
- Median Home Price$264,637
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Collins
169,705
Fort Collins +
Joliet
149,785
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Collins
N/A
Joliet
N/A
Median Age
Fort Collins
30.6
Fort Collins +
Joliet
35.3
Foreign Born
Fort Collins
6.6%
Joliet
15.2%
Joliet +
White
Fort Collins
81.7%
Fort Collins +
Joliet
52.7%
Black
Fort Collins
1.4%
Joliet
17.0%
Joliet +
Asian
Fort Collins
3.4%
Fort Collins +
Joliet
2.1%
Hispanic
Fort Collins
12.3%
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
Spanish at Home
Fort Collins
N/A
Joliet
N/A
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,705 | 149,785 | Fort Collins + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.6 | 35.3 | Fort Collins + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 15.2% | Joliet + |
| White | 81.7% | 52.7% | Fort Collins + |
| Black | 1.4% | 17.0% | Joliet + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 2.1% | Fort Collins + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 34.7% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Collins
$83,598
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
Per Capita Income
Fort Collins
$46,341
Fort Collins +
Joliet
$35,820
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Collins
$76,653
Fort Collins +
Joliet
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Fort Collins
5.2%
Fort Collins +
Joliet
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Fort Collins
16.0%
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Collins
59.9%
Fort Collins +
Joliet
25.0%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,598 | $88,026 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,341 | $35,820 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $68,110 | Fort Collins + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.8% | Fort Collins + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 11.0% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.9% | 25.0% | Fort Collins + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Collins
$568,389
Joliet
$264,637
Joliet +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Collins
52.1%
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $568,389 | $264,637 | Joliet + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.1% | 73.1% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
512
Joliet
344
Joliet +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
3234
Joliet
1842
Joliet +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 344 | Joliet + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1842 | Joliet + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
23.8%
Fort Collins +
Joliet
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
6.2%
Fort Collins +
Joliet
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Collins
18.7%
Joliet
17.7%
Joliet +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
9.4%
Fort Collins +
Joliet
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
20.3%
Joliet
19.1%
Joliet +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
9.9%
Fort Collins +
Joliet
14.0%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.8% | 41.9% | Fort Collins + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 11.7% | Fort Collins + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.7% | 17.7% | Joliet + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 13.9% | Fort Collins + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 19.1% | Joliet + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 14.0% | Fort Collins + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Collins
50.3°F
Fort Collins +
Joliet
50.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Collins
16.1 in
Fort Collins +
Joliet
36.8 in
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 50.6°F | Fort Collins + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.1 in | 36.8 in | Fort Collins + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
6.2 µg/m³
Fort Collins +
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Collins
75.0%
Fort Collins +
Joliet
55.0%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 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 +
Joliet
31.7 min
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.8 min | 31.7 min | Fort Collins + |
Which City is Right for You?
Joliet leads in median household income at $88,026, while joliet offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,637. On public safety, Joliet is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 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