Fort Collins CO vs Madison WI — 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%
Madison, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 275,568
- Median HH Income$76,983
- Median Home Price$429,253
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Collins
169,705
Madison
275,568
Madison +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Collins
N/A
Madison
N/A
Median Age
Fort Collins
30.6
Fort Collins +
Madison
31.8
Foreign Born
Fort Collins
6.6%
Madison
11.6%
Madison +
White
Fort Collins
81.7%
Fort Collins +
Madison
73.0%
Black
Fort Collins
1.4%
Madison
7.1%
Madison +
Asian
Fort Collins
3.4%
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Hispanic
Fort Collins
12.3%
Fort Collins +
Madison
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Fort Collins
N/A
Madison
N/A
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,705 | 275,568 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.6 | 31.8 | Fort Collins + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 11.6% | Madison + |
| White | 81.7% | 73.0% | Fort Collins + |
| Black | 1.4% | 7.1% | Madison + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 8.0% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 9.3% | Fort Collins + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Collins
$83,598
Fort Collins +
Madison
$76,983
Per Capita Income
Fort Collins
$46,341
Madison
$48,557
Madison +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Collins
$76,653
Fort Collins +
Madison
$61,837
Unemployment Rate
Fort Collins
5.2%
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Poverty Rate
Fort Collins
16.0%
Fort Collins +
Madison
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Collins
59.9%
Fort Collins +
Madison
59.2%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,598 | $76,983 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,341 | $48,557 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $61,837 | Fort Collins + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 2.7% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 16.2% | Fort Collins + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.9% | 59.2% | Fort Collins + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Collins
$568,389
Madison
$429,253
Madison +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Collins
52.1%
Fort Collins +
Madison
46.6%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $568,389 | $429,253 | Madison + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.1% | 46.6% | Fort Collins + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
512
Madison
309
Madison +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
3234
Madison
1392
Madison +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 309 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1392 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
23.8%
Fort Collins +
Madison
32.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
6.2%
Fort Collins +
Madison
7.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Collins
18.7%
Madison
16.5%
Madison +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
9.4%
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
20.3%
Fort Collins +
Madison
20.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
9.9%
Fort Collins +
Madison
10.2%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.8% | 32.7% | Fort Collins + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 7.4% | Fort Collins + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.7% | 16.5% | Madison + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 7.9% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 20.8% | Fort Collins + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 10.2% | Fort Collins + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Collins
50.3°F
Madison
46.7°F
Madison +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Collins
16.1 in
Fort Collins +
Madison
37.3 in
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 46.7°F | Madison + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.1 in | 37.3 in | Fort Collins + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
6.2 µg/m³
Fort Collins +
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Collins
75.0%
Fort Collins +
Madison
55.0%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 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
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.8 min | 21.2 min | Madison + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Collins leads in median household income at $83,598, while madison offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $429,253. On public safety, Madison is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Fort Collins. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, 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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