Fort Collins CO vs Lancaster CA — 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%
Lancaster, CA
California · Population: 170,013
- Median HH Income$76,083
- Median Home Price$466,147
- Unemployment7.1%
- Bachelor's+20.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Collins
169,705
Lancaster
170,013
Lancaster +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Collins
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
Median Age
Fort Collins
30.6
Fort Collins +
Lancaster
34.2
Foreign Born
Fort Collins
6.6%
Lancaster
13.9%
Lancaster +
White
Fort Collins
81.7%
Fort Collins +
Lancaster
35.5%
Black
Fort Collins
1.4%
Lancaster
21.4%
Lancaster +
Asian
Fort Collins
3.4%
Lancaster
4.0%
Lancaster +
Hispanic
Fort Collins
12.3%
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Spanish at Home
Fort Collins
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,705 | 170,013 | Lancaster + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.6 | 34.2 | Fort Collins + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 13.9% | Lancaster + |
| White | 81.7% | 35.5% | Fort Collins + |
| Black | 1.4% | 21.4% | Lancaster + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 4.0% | Lancaster + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 45.9% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Collins
$83,598
Fort Collins +
Lancaster
$76,083
Per Capita Income
Fort Collins
$46,341
Fort Collins +
Lancaster
$29,766
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Collins
$76,653
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Collins
5.2%
Fort Collins +
Lancaster
7.1%
Poverty Rate
Fort Collins
16.0%
Lancaster
15.5%
Lancaster +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Collins
59.9%
Fort Collins +
Lancaster
20.1%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,598 | $76,083 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,341 | $29,766 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $77,230 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 7.1% | Fort Collins + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 15.5% | Lancaster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.9% | 20.1% | Fort Collins + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Collins
$568,389
Lancaster
$466,147
Lancaster +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Collins
52.1%
Lancaster
58.4%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $568,389 | $466,147 | Lancaster + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.1% | 58.4% | Lancaster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
512
Lancaster
503
Lancaster +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
3234
Lancaster
2388
Lancaster +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 503 | Lancaster + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2388 | Lancaster + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
23.8%
Fort Collins +
Lancaster
30.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
6.2%
Fort Collins +
Lancaster
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Collins
18.7%
Fort Collins +
Lancaster
19.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
9.4%
Fort Collins +
Lancaster
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
20.3%
Lancaster
15.8%
Lancaster +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
9.9%
Fort Collins +
Lancaster
14.0%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.8% | 30.6% | Fort Collins + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 12.6% | Fort Collins + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.7% | 19.3% | Fort Collins + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 12.9% | Fort Collins + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 15.8% | Lancaster + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 14.0% | Fort Collins + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Collins
50.3°F
Fort Collins +
Lancaster
62.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Collins
16.1 in
Lancaster
7.4 in
Lancaster +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 62.1°F | Fort Collins + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.1 in | 7.4 in | Lancaster + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
6.2 µg/m³
Fort Collins +
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Collins
75.0%
Lancaster
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 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 +
Lancaster
33.0 min
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.8 min | 33.0 min | Fort Collins + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Collins leads in median household income at $83,598, while lancaster offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $466,147. On public safety, Lancaster is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 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