Fort Collins CO vs Memphis TN — 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%
Memphis, TN
Tennessee · Population: 629,063
- Median HH Income$51,211
- Median Home Price$147,306
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+28.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Collins
169,705
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Collins
N/A
Memphis
N/A
Median Age
Fort Collins
30.6
Fort Collins +
Memphis
34.3
Foreign Born
Fort Collins
6.6%
Memphis
7.4%
Memphis +
White
Fort Collins
81.7%
Fort Collins +
Memphis
25.0%
Black
Fort Collins
1.4%
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Asian
Fort Collins
3.4%
Fort Collins +
Memphis
1.7%
Hispanic
Fort Collins
12.3%
Fort Collins +
Memphis
10.2%
Spanish at Home
Fort Collins
N/A
Memphis
N/A
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,705 | 629,063 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.6 | 34.3 | Fort Collins + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 7.4% | Memphis + |
| White | 81.7% | 25.0% | Fort Collins + |
| Black | 1.4% | 62.9% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 1.7% | Fort Collins + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 10.2% | Fort Collins + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Collins
$83,598
Fort Collins +
Memphis
$51,211
Per Capita Income
Fort Collins
$46,341
Fort Collins +
Memphis
$32,314
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Collins
$76,653
Fort Collins +
Memphis
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Fort Collins
5.2%
Fort Collins +
Memphis
8.3%
Poverty Rate
Fort Collins
16.0%
Fort Collins +
Memphis
22.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Collins
59.9%
Fort Collins +
Memphis
28.2%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,598 | $51,211 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,341 | $32,314 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $59,097 | Fort Collins + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 8.3% | Fort Collins + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 22.5% | Fort Collins + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.9% | 28.2% | Fort Collins + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Collins
$568,389
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Collins
52.1%
Fort Collins +
Memphis
46.0%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $568,389 | $147,306 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.1% | 46.0% | Fort Collins + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
512
Fort Collins +
Memphis
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
3234
Memphis
2350
Memphis +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 639 | Fort Collins + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2350 | Memphis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
23.8%
Fort Collins +
Memphis
42.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
6.2%
Fort Collins +
Memphis
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Collins
18.7%
Fort Collins +
Memphis
20.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
9.4%
Fort Collins +
Memphis
14.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
20.3%
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
9.9%
Fort Collins +
Memphis
19.9%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.8% | 42.1% | Fort Collins + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 17.6% | Fort Collins + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.7% | 20.7% | Fort Collins + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 14.9% | Fort Collins + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 13.5% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 19.9% | Fort Collins + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Collins
50.3°F
Fort Collins +
Memphis
60.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Collins
16.1 in
Fort Collins +
Memphis
54.9 in
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 60.9°F | Fort Collins + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.1 in | 54.9 in | Fort Collins + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
6.2 µg/m³
Fort Collins +
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Collins
75.0%
Memphis
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Fort Collins + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Collins
21.8 min
Fort Collins +
Memphis
22.9 min
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.8 min | 22.9 min | Fort Collins + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Collins leads in median household income at $83,598, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Fort Collins is safer with a violent crime rate of 512 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. Fort Collins has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, 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%.
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