Fort Collins CO vs Las Vegas NV — 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 Vegas, NV
Nevada · Population: 650,873
- Median HH Income$70,723
- Median Home Price$426,069
- Unemployment7.2%
- Bachelor's+27.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Collins
169,705
Las Vegas
650,873
Las Vegas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Collins
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
Median Age
Fort Collins
30.6
Fort Collins +
Las Vegas
38.5
Foreign Born
Fort Collins
6.6%
Las Vegas
20.9%
Las Vegas +
White
Fort Collins
81.7%
Fort Collins +
Las Vegas
49.2%
Black
Fort Collins
1.4%
Las Vegas
11.9%
Las Vegas +
Asian
Fort Collins
3.4%
Las Vegas
6.9%
Las Vegas +
Hispanic
Fort Collins
12.3%
Las Vegas
34.1%
Las Vegas +
Spanish at Home
Fort Collins
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,705 | 650,873 | Las Vegas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.6 | 38.5 | Fort Collins + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 20.9% | Las Vegas + |
| White | 81.7% | 49.2% | Fort Collins + |
| Black | 1.4% | 11.9% | Las Vegas + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 6.9% | Las Vegas + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 34.1% | Las Vegas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Collins
$83,598
Fort Collins +
Las Vegas
$70,723
Per Capita Income
Fort Collins
$46,341
Fort Collins +
Las Vegas
$38,421
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Collins
$76,653
Fort Collins +
Las Vegas
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Fort Collins
5.2%
Fort Collins +
Las Vegas
7.2%
Poverty Rate
Fort Collins
16.0%
Las Vegas
14.2%
Las Vegas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Collins
59.9%
Fort Collins +
Las Vegas
27.3%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,598 | $70,723 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,341 | $38,421 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $62,696 | Fort Collins + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 7.2% | Fort Collins + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 14.2% | Las Vegas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.9% | 27.3% | Fort Collins + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Collins
$568,389
Las Vegas
$426,069
Las Vegas +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Collins
52.1%
Las Vegas
55.7%
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $568,389 | $426,069 | Las Vegas + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.1% | 55.7% | Las Vegas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
512
Las Vegas
460
Las Vegas +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
3234
Las Vegas
2417
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 460 | Las Vegas + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2417 | Las Vegas + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
23.8%
Fort Collins +
Las Vegas
32.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
6.2%
Fort Collins +
Las Vegas
12.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Collins
18.7%
Fort Collins +
Las Vegas
19.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
9.4%
Fort Collins +
Las Vegas
17.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
20.3%
Las Vegas
15.4%
Las Vegas +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
9.9%
Fort Collins +
Las Vegas
15.6%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.8% | 32.4% | Fort Collins + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 12.5% | Fort Collins + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.7% | 19.5% | Fort Collins + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 17.0% | Fort Collins + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 15.4% | Las Vegas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 15.6% | Fort Collins + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Collins
50.3°F
Fort Collins +
Las Vegas
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Collins
16.1 in
Las Vegas
5.1 in
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 67.4°F | Fort Collins + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.1 in | 5.1 in | Las Vegas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
6.2 µg/m³
Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
Las Vegas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Collins
75.0%
Las Vegas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Las Vegas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Collins
21.8 min
Fort Collins +
Las Vegas
27.7 min
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.8 min | 27.7 min | Fort Collins + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Collins leads in median household income at $83,598, while las Vegas offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $426,069. On public safety, Las Vegas is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Fort Collins. Fort Collins has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Las Vegas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Collins scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.8%.
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