Fort Collins CO vs Lexington KY — 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%
Lexington, KY
Kentucky · Population: 321,122
- Median HH Income$67,631
- Median Home Price$332,727
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+47.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Collins
169,705
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Collins
N/A
Lexington
N/A
Median Age
Fort Collins
30.6
Fort Collins +
Lexington
35.2
Foreign Born
Fort Collins
6.6%
Lexington
11.0%
Lexington +
White
Fort Collins
81.7%
Fort Collins +
Lexington
69.9%
Black
Fort Collins
1.4%
Lexington
14.4%
Lexington +
Asian
Fort Collins
3.4%
Lexington
4.2%
Lexington +
Hispanic
Fort Collins
12.3%
Fort Collins +
Lexington
9.2%
Spanish at Home
Fort Collins
N/A
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,705 | 321,122 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.6 | 35.2 | Fort Collins + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 11.0% | Lexington + |
| White | 81.7% | 69.9% | Fort Collins + |
| Black | 1.4% | 14.4% | Lexington + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 4.2% | Lexington + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 9.2% | Fort Collins + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Collins
$83,598
Fort Collins +
Lexington
$67,631
Per Capita Income
Fort Collins
$46,341
Fort Collins +
Lexington
$42,272
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Collins
$76,653
Fort Collins +
Lexington
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Fort Collins
5.2%
Lexington
5.0%
Lexington +
Poverty Rate
Fort Collins
16.0%
Lexington
15.7%
Lexington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Collins
59.9%
Fort Collins +
Lexington
47.3%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,598 | $67,631 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,341 | $42,272 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $52,606 | Fort Collins + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.0% | Lexington + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 15.7% | Lexington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.9% | 47.3% | Fort Collins + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Collins
$568,389
Lexington
$332,727
Lexington +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Collins
52.1%
Lexington
53.6%
Lexington +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $568,389 | $332,727 | Lexington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.1% | 53.6% | Lexington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
512
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
3234
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 223 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1505 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
23.8%
Lexington
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
6.2%
Lexington
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Collins
18.7%
Lexington
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
9.4%
Lexington
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
20.3%
Lexington
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
9.9%
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.8% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.2% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.7% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.3% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Collins
50.3°F
Fort Collins +
Lexington
55.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Collins
16.1 in
Fort Collins +
Lexington
45.2 in
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 55.6°F | Fort Collins + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.1 in | 45.2 in | Fort Collins + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
6.2 µg/m³
Fort Collins +
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Collins
75.0%
Lexington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 8.6 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 +
Lexington
22.5 min
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.8 min | 22.5 min | Fort Collins + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Collins leads in median household income at $83,598, while lexington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $332,727. On public safety, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Fort Collins. Lexington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Fort Collins has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³).
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