Fort Collins CO vs Lubbock TX — 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%
Lubbock, TX
Texas · Population: 261,078
- Median HH Income$60,487
- Median Home Price$210,477
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+34.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Collins
169,705
Lubbock
261,078
Lubbock +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Collins
N/A
Lubbock
N/A
Median Age
Fort Collins
30.6
Lubbock
30.4
Lubbock +
Foreign Born
Fort Collins
6.6%
Fort Collins +
Lubbock
6.2%
White
Fort Collins
81.7%
Fort Collins +
Lubbock
64.6%
Black
Fort Collins
1.4%
Lubbock
8.3%
Lubbock +
Asian
Fort Collins
3.4%
Fort Collins +
Lubbock
2.8%
Hispanic
Fort Collins
12.3%
Lubbock
36.8%
Lubbock +
Spanish at Home
Fort Collins
N/A
Lubbock
N/A
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,705 | 261,078 | Lubbock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.6 | 30.4 | Lubbock + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 6.2% | Fort Collins + |
| White | 81.7% | 64.6% | Fort Collins + |
| Black | 1.4% | 8.3% | Lubbock + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 2.8% | Fort Collins + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 36.8% | Lubbock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Collins
$83,598
Fort Collins +
Lubbock
$60,487
Per Capita Income
Fort Collins
$46,341
Fort Collins +
Lubbock
$34,629
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Collins
$76,653
Fort Collins +
Lubbock
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Fort Collins
5.2%
Lubbock
4.8%
Lubbock +
Poverty Rate
Fort Collins
16.0%
Fort Collins +
Lubbock
19.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Collins
59.9%
Fort Collins +
Lubbock
34.9%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,598 | $60,487 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,341 | $34,629 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $63,758 | Fort Collins + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 4.8% | Lubbock + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 19.0% | Fort Collins + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.9% | 34.9% | Fort Collins + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Collins
$568,389
Lubbock
$210,477
Lubbock +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Collins
52.1%
Fort Collins +
Lubbock
50.8%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $568,389 | $210,477 | Lubbock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.1% | 50.8% | Fort Collins + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
512
Lubbock
442
Lubbock +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
3234
Lubbock
2339
Lubbock +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 442 | Lubbock + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2339 | Lubbock + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
23.8%
Fort Collins +
Lubbock
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
6.2%
Fort Collins +
Lubbock
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Collins
18.7%
Lubbock
18.5%
Lubbock +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
9.4%
Fort Collins +
Lubbock
18.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
20.3%
Lubbock
17.6%
Lubbock +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
9.9%
Fort Collins +
Lubbock
13.0%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.8% | 35.8% | Fort Collins + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 11.8% | Fort Collins + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.7% | 18.5% | Lubbock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 18.4% | Fort Collins + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 17.6% | Lubbock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 13.0% | Fort Collins + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Collins
50.3°F
Lubbock
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Collins
16.1 in
Fort Collins +
Lubbock
21.1 in
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.1 in | 21.1 in | Fort Collins + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
6.2 µg/m³
Fort Collins +
Lubbock
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Collins
75.0%
Fort Collins +
Lubbock
55.0%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 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
Lubbock
17.4 min
Lubbock +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.8 min | 17.4 min | Lubbock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Collins leads in median household income at $83,598, while lubbock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,477. On public safety, Lubbock is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Fort Collins. Lubbock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, 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%.
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