Fort Collins CO vs Lincoln NE — 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%
Lincoln, NE
Nebraska · Population: 291,932
- Median HH Income$69,991
- Median Home Price$293,233
- Unemployment3.3%
- Bachelor's+40.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Collins
169,705
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Collins
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
Median Age
Fort Collins
30.6
Fort Collins +
Lincoln
33.4
Foreign Born
Fort Collins
6.6%
Lincoln
9.2%
Lincoln +
White
Fort Collins
81.7%
Fort Collins +
Lincoln
80.9%
Black
Fort Collins
1.4%
Lincoln
4.2%
Lincoln +
Asian
Fort Collins
3.4%
Lincoln
4.5%
Lincoln +
Hispanic
Fort Collins
12.3%
Fort Collins +
Lincoln
8.8%
Spanish at Home
Fort Collins
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,705 | 291,932 | Lincoln + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.6 | 33.4 | Fort Collins + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 9.2% | Lincoln + |
| White | 81.7% | 80.9% | Fort Collins + |
| Black | 1.4% | 4.2% | Lincoln + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 4.5% | Lincoln + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 8.8% | Fort Collins + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Collins
$83,598
Fort Collins +
Lincoln
$69,991
Per Capita Income
Fort Collins
$46,341
Fort Collins +
Lincoln
$39,187
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Collins
$76,653
Fort Collins +
Lincoln
$66,354
Unemployment Rate
Fort Collins
5.2%
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Poverty Rate
Fort Collins
16.0%
Lincoln
12.6%
Lincoln +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Collins
59.9%
Fort Collins +
Lincoln
40.9%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,598 | $69,991 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,341 | $39,187 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $66,354 | Fort Collins + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 3.3% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 12.6% | Lincoln + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.9% | 40.9% | Fort Collins + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Collins
$568,389
Lincoln
$293,233
Lincoln +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Collins
52.1%
Lincoln
55.8%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $568,389 | $293,233 | Lincoln + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.1% | 55.8% | Lincoln + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
512
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
3234
Lincoln
1960
Lincoln +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 294 | Lincoln + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1960 | Lincoln + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
23.8%
Fort Collins +
Lincoln
35.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
6.2%
Fort Collins +
Lincoln
9.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Collins
18.7%
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
9.4%
Fort Collins +
Lincoln
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
20.3%
Fort Collins +
Lincoln
20.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
9.9%
Fort Collins +
Lincoln
12.5%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.8% | 35.1% | Fort Collins + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 9.5% | Fort Collins + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.7% | 15.2% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 9.6% | Fort Collins + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 20.6% | Fort Collins + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 12.5% | Fort Collins + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Collins
50.3°F
Fort Collins +
Lincoln
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Collins
16.1 in
Fort Collins +
Lincoln
29.0 in
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 51.6°F | Fort Collins + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.1 in | 29.0 in | Fort Collins + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
6.2 µg/m³
Fort Collins +
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Collins
75.0%
Lincoln
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Fort Collins + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Collins
21.8 min
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.8 min | 20.0 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Collins leads in median household income at $83,598, while lincoln offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $293,233. On public safety, Lincoln is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Fort Collins. Lincoln has a lower unemployment rate at 3.3%, 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%.
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