Fort Collins CO vs Lakeland FL — 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%
Lakeland, FL
Florida · Population: 82,506
- Median HH Income$60,465
- Median Home Price$312,001
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+26.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Collins
169,705
Fort Collins +
Lakeland
82,506
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Collins
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
Median Age
Fort Collins
30.6
Fort Collins +
Lakeland
48.4
Foreign Born
Fort Collins
6.6%
Lakeland
12.9%
Lakeland +
White
Fort Collins
81.7%
Fort Collins +
Lakeland
74.1%
Black
Fort Collins
1.4%
Lakeland
8.8%
Lakeland +
Asian
Fort Collins
3.4%
Lakeland
3.7%
Lakeland +
Hispanic
Fort Collins
12.3%
Lakeland
14.4%
Lakeland +
Spanish at Home
Fort Collins
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,705 | 82,506 | Fort Collins + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.6 | 48.4 | Fort Collins + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 12.9% | Lakeland + |
| White | 81.7% | 74.1% | Fort Collins + |
| Black | 1.4% | 8.8% | Lakeland + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 3.7% | Lakeland + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 14.4% | Lakeland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Collins
$83,598
Fort Collins +
Lakeland
$60,465
Per Capita Income
Fort Collins
$46,341
Fort Collins +
Lakeland
$36,322
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Collins
$76,653
Fort Collins +
Lakeland
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Fort Collins
5.2%
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Poverty Rate
Fort Collins
16.0%
Lakeland
12.0%
Lakeland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Collins
59.9%
Fort Collins +
Lakeland
26.8%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,598 | $60,465 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,341 | $36,322 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $65,328 | Fort Collins + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 4.3% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 12.0% | Lakeland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.9% | 26.8% | Fort Collins + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Collins
$568,389
Lakeland
$312,001
Lakeland +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Collins
52.1%
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $568,389 | $312,001 | Lakeland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.1% | 61.1% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
512
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
3234
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 324 | Lakeland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1453 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
23.8%
Fort Collins +
Lakeland
38.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
6.2%
Fort Collins +
Lakeland
13.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Collins
18.7%
Lakeland
18.3%
Lakeland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
9.4%
Fort Collins +
Lakeland
16.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
20.3%
Lakeland
14.9%
Lakeland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
9.9%
Fort Collins +
Lakeland
14.1%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.8% | 38.9% | Fort Collins + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 13.3% | Fort Collins + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.7% | 18.3% | Lakeland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 16.4% | Fort Collins + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 14.9% | Lakeland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 14.1% | Fort Collins + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Collins
50.3°F
Fort Collins +
Lakeland
72.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Collins
16.1 in
Fort Collins +
Lakeland
54.8 in
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 72.6°F | Fort Collins + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.1 in | 54.8 in | Fort Collins + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
6.2 µg/m³
Fort Collins +
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Collins
75.0%
Lakeland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 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 +
Lakeland
25.6 min
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.8 min | 25.6 min | Fort Collins + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Collins leads in median household income at $83,598, while lakeland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $312,001. On public safety, Lakeland is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Fort Collins. Lakeland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, 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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