Fort Collins CO vs Macon GA — 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%
Macon, GA
Georgia · Population: 61,773
- Median HH Income$70,086
- Median Home Price$171,916
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+46.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Collins
169,705
Fort Collins +
Macon
61,773
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Collins
N/A
Macon
N/A
Median Age
Fort Collins
30.6
Fort Collins +
Macon
35.2
Foreign Born
Fort Collins
6.6%
Macon
18.3%
Macon +
White
Fort Collins
81.7%
Fort Collins +
Macon
43.7%
Black
Fort Collins
1.4%
Macon
30.4%
Macon +
Asian
Fort Collins
3.4%
Fort Collins +
Macon
2.0%
Hispanic
Fort Collins
12.3%
Macon
19.8%
Macon +
Spanish at Home
Fort Collins
N/A
Macon
N/A
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,705 | 61,773 | Fort Collins + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.6 | 35.2 | Fort Collins + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 18.3% | Macon + |
| White | 81.7% | 43.7% | Fort Collins + |
| Black | 1.4% | 30.4% | Macon + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 2.0% | Fort Collins + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 19.8% | Macon + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Collins
$83,598
Fort Collins +
Macon
$70,086
Per Capita Income
Fort Collins
$46,341
Fort Collins +
Macon
$43,074
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Collins
$76,653
Fort Collins +
Macon
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Fort Collins
5.2%
Macon
3.9%
Macon +
Poverty Rate
Fort Collins
16.0%
Macon
12.7%
Macon +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Collins
59.9%
Fort Collins +
Macon
46.8%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,598 | $70,086 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,341 | $43,074 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $57,405 | Fort Collins + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 3.9% | Macon + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 12.7% | Macon + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.9% | 46.8% | Fort Collins + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Collins
$568,389
Macon
$171,916
Macon +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Collins
52.1%
Fort Collins +
Macon
47.2%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $568,389 | $171,916 | Macon + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.1% | 47.2% | Fort Collins + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
512
Macon
392
Macon +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
3234
Macon
1752
Macon +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 392 | Macon + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1752 | Macon + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
23.8%
Macon
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
6.2%
Macon
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Collins
18.7%
Macon
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
9.4%
Macon
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
20.3%
Macon
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
9.9%
Macon
N/A
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Macon, GA | 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 +
Macon
64.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Collins
16.1 in
Fort Collins +
Macon
45.7 in
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 64.6°F | Fort Collins + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.1 in | 45.7 in | Fort Collins + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
6.2 µg/m³
Fort Collins +
Macon
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Collins
75.0%
Fort Collins +
Macon
55.0%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 9.8 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
Fort Collins +
Macon
30.2 min
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.8 min | 30.2 min | Fort Collins + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Collins leads in median household income at $83,598, while macon offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $171,916. On public safety, Macon is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Fort Collins. Macon has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Fort Collins has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³).
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