Fort Collins CO vs Las Cruces NM — 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%
Las Cruces, NM
New Mexico · Population: 112,612
- Median HH Income$55,176
- Median Home Price$290,963
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+37.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Collins
169,705
Fort Collins +
Las Cruces
112,612
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Collins
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
Median Age
Fort Collins
30.6
Fort Collins +
Las Cruces
32.7
Foreign Born
Fort Collins
6.6%
Las Cruces
10.1%
Las Cruces +
White
Fort Collins
81.7%
Fort Collins +
Las Cruces
54.1%
Black
Fort Collins
1.4%
Las Cruces
2.6%
Las Cruces +
Asian
Fort Collins
3.4%
Fort Collins +
Las Cruces
1.9%
Hispanic
Fort Collins
12.3%
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Spanish at Home
Fort Collins
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,705 | 112,612 | Fort Collins + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.6 | 32.7 | Fort Collins + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 10.1% | Las Cruces + |
| White | 81.7% | 54.1% | Fort Collins + |
| Black | 1.4% | 2.6% | Las Cruces + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 1.9% | Fort Collins + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 59.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Collins
$83,598
Fort Collins +
Las Cruces
$55,176
Per Capita Income
Fort Collins
$46,341
Fort Collins +
Las Cruces
$30,804
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Collins
$76,653
Fort Collins +
Las Cruces
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Fort Collins
5.2%
Fort Collins +
Las Cruces
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Fort Collins
16.0%
Fort Collins +
Las Cruces
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Collins
59.9%
Fort Collins +
Las Cruces
37.3%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,598 | $55,176 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,341 | $30,804 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $53,141 | Fort Collins + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 7.4% | Fort Collins + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 22.0% | Fort Collins + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.9% | 37.3% | Fort Collins + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Collins
$568,389
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Collins
52.1%
Las Cruces
55.6%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $568,389 | $290,963 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.1% | 55.6% | Las Cruces + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
512
Fort Collins +
Las Cruces
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
3234
Las Cruces
3177
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 834 | Fort Collins + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 3177 | Las Cruces + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
23.8%
Fort Collins +
Las Cruces
35.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
6.2%
Fort Collins +
Las Cruces
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Collins
18.7%
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
9.4%
Fort Collins +
Las Cruces
17.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
20.3%
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
9.9%
Fort Collins +
Las Cruces
12.1%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.8% | 35.4% | Fort Collins + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 13.0% | Fort Collins + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.7% | 15.8% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 17.7% | Fort Collins + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 14.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 12.1% | Fort Collins + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Collins
50.3°F
Fort Collins +
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Collins
16.1 in
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 58.8°F | Fort Collins + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
6.2 µg/m³
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Collins
75.0%
Las Cruces
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Las Cruces + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Collins
21.8 min
Las Cruces
20.5 min
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.8 min | 20.5 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Collins leads in median household income at $83,598, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, Fort Collins is safer with a violent crime rate of 512 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Fort Collins has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Las Cruces has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Collins scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.8%.
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