Fort Collins CO vs Lakewood CO — 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%
Lakewood, CO
Colorado · Population: 156,309
- Median HH Income$85,789
- Median Home Price$575,076
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+45.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Collins
169,705
Fort Collins +
Lakewood
156,309
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Collins
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
Median Age
Fort Collins
30.6
Fort Collins +
Lakewood
38.0
Foreign Born
Fort Collins
6.6%
Lakewood
8.5%
Lakewood +
White
Fort Collins
81.7%
Fort Collins +
Lakewood
76.0%
Black
Fort Collins
1.4%
Lakewood
1.4%
Tie
Asian
Fort Collins
3.4%
Lakewood
4.1%
Lakewood +
Hispanic
Fort Collins
12.3%
Lakewood
22.4%
Lakewood +
Spanish at Home
Fort Collins
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,705 | 156,309 | Fort Collins + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.6 | 38.0 | Fort Collins + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 8.5% | Lakewood + |
| White | 81.7% | 76.0% | Fort Collins + |
| Black | 1.4% | 1.4% | Tie |
| Asian | 3.4% | 4.1% | Lakewood + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 22.4% | Lakewood + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Collins
$83,598
Lakewood
$85,789
Lakewood +
Per Capita Income
Fort Collins
$46,341
Lakewood
$51,218
Lakewood +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Collins
$76,653
Lakewood
$76,653
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Fort Collins
5.2%
Lakewood
4.5%
Lakewood +
Poverty Rate
Fort Collins
16.0%
Lakewood
9.1%
Lakewood +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Collins
59.9%
Fort Collins +
Lakewood
45.3%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,598 | $85,789 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,341 | $51,218 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $76,653 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 4.5% | Lakewood + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 9.1% | Lakewood + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.9% | 45.3% | Fort Collins + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Collins
$568,389
Fort Collins +
Lakewood
$575,076
Homeownership Rate
Fort Collins
52.1%
Lakewood
58.1%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $568,389 | $575,076 | Fort Collins + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.1% | 58.1% | Lakewood + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
512
Lakewood
512
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
3234
Lakewood
3234
Tie
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 512 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 3234 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
23.8%
Lakewood
23.8%
Tie
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
6.2%
Fort Collins +
Lakewood
8.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Collins
18.7%
Lakewood
15.8%
Lakewood +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
9.4%
Fort Collins +
Lakewood
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
20.3%
Lakewood
19.7%
Lakewood +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
9.9%
Fort Collins +
Lakewood
10.7%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.8% | 23.8% | Tie |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 8.7% | Fort Collins + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.7% | 15.8% | Lakewood + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 10.6% | Fort Collins + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 19.7% | Lakewood + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 10.7% | Fort Collins + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Collins
50.3°F
Fort Collins +
Lakewood
51.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Collins
16.1 in
Fort Collins +
Lakewood
17.3 in
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 51.4°F | Fort Collins + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.1 in | 17.3 in | Fort Collins + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
6.2 µg/m³
Lakewood
6.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Collins
75.0%
Lakewood
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Collins
21.8 min
Fort Collins +
Lakewood
28.6 min
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.8 min | 28.6 min | Fort Collins + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakewood leads in median household income at $85,789, while fort Collins offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $568,389. On public safety, Lakewood is safer with a violent crime rate of 512 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Fort Collins. Lakewood has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Lakewood has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lakewood scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.8%.
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