Fort Collins CO vs Little Rock AR — 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%
Little Rock, AR
Arkansas · Population: 202,739
- Median HH Income$60,583
- Median Home Price$216,863
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Collins
169,705
Little Rock
202,739
Little Rock +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Collins
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
Median Age
Fort Collins
30.6
Fort Collins +
Little Rock
36.4
Foreign Born
Fort Collins
6.6%
Little Rock
7.9%
Little Rock +
White
Fort Collins
81.7%
Fort Collins +
Little Rock
46.4%
Black
Fort Collins
1.4%
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Asian
Fort Collins
3.4%
Fort Collins +
Little Rock
3.0%
Hispanic
Fort Collins
12.3%
Fort Collins +
Little Rock
10.4%
Spanish at Home
Fort Collins
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,705 | 202,739 | Little Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.6 | 36.4 | Fort Collins + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 7.9% | Little Rock + |
| White | 81.7% | 46.4% | Fort Collins + |
| Black | 1.4% | 39.4% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 3.0% | Fort Collins + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 10.4% | Fort Collins + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Collins
$83,598
Fort Collins +
Little Rock
$60,583
Per Capita Income
Fort Collins
$46,341
Fort Collins +
Little Rock
$43,242
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Collins
$76,653
Fort Collins +
Little Rock
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Fort Collins
5.2%
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Poverty Rate
Fort Collins
16.0%
Fort Collins +
Little Rock
16.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Collins
59.9%
Fort Collins +
Little Rock
44.0%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,598 | $60,583 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,341 | $43,242 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $53,714 | Fort Collins + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 4.2% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 16.4% | Fort Collins + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.9% | 44.0% | Fort Collins + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Collins
$568,389
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Collins
52.1%
Little Rock
54.2%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $568,389 | $216,863 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.1% | 54.2% | Little Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
512
Fort Collins +
Little Rock
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
3234
Little Rock
2507
Little Rock +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 660 | Fort Collins + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2507 | Little Rock + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
23.8%
Fort Collins +
Little Rock
40.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
6.2%
Fort Collins +
Little Rock
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Collins
18.7%
Little Rock
17.5%
Little Rock +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
9.4%
Fort Collins +
Little Rock
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
20.3%
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
9.9%
Fort Collins +
Little Rock
13.3%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.8% | 40.5% | Fort Collins + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 13.1% | Fort Collins + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.7% | 17.5% | Little Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 11.4% | Fort Collins + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 14.3% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 13.3% | Fort Collins + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Collins
50.3°F
Fort Collins +
Little Rock
62.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Collins
16.1 in
Fort Collins +
Little Rock
50.0 in
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 62.7°F | Fort Collins + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.1 in | 50.0 in | Fort Collins + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
6.2 µg/m³
Fort Collins +
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Collins
75.0%
Fort Collins +
Little Rock
55.0%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Fort Collins + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Fort Collins + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Collins
21.8 min
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.8 min | 20.0 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Collins leads in median household income at $83,598, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Fort Collins is safer with a violent crime rate of 512 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Little Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, 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%.
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