Fort Collins CO vs Meridian ID — 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%
Meridian, ID
Idaho · Population: 124,865
- Median HH Income$98,686
- Median Home Price$534,732
- Unemployment2.4%
- Bachelor's+44.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Collins
169,705
Fort Collins +
Meridian
124,865
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Collins
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Median Age
Fort Collins
30.6
Fort Collins +
Meridian
37.4
Foreign Born
Fort Collins
6.6%
Fort Collins +
Meridian
4.8%
White
Fort Collins
81.7%
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Black
Fort Collins
1.4%
Meridian
1.6%
Meridian +
Asian
Fort Collins
3.4%
Fort Collins +
Meridian
2.1%
Hispanic
Fort Collins
12.3%
Fort Collins +
Meridian
9.5%
Spanish at Home
Fort Collins
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,705 | 124,865 | Fort Collins + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.6 | 37.4 | Fort Collins + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 4.8% | Fort Collins + |
| White | 81.7% | 84.3% | Meridian + |
| Black | 1.4% | 1.6% | Meridian + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 2.1% | Fort Collins + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 9.5% | Fort Collins + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Collins
$83,598
Meridian
$98,686
Meridian +
Per Capita Income
Fort Collins
$46,341
Meridian
$47,751
Meridian +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Collins
$76,653
Fort Collins +
Meridian
$57,074
Unemployment Rate
Fort Collins
5.2%
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Poverty Rate
Fort Collins
16.0%
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Collins
59.9%
Fort Collins +
Meridian
44.4%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,598 | $98,686 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,341 | $47,751 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $57,074 | Fort Collins + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 2.4% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 6.2% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.9% | 44.4% | Fort Collins + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Collins
$568,389
Meridian
$534,732
Meridian +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Collins
52.1%
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $568,389 | $534,732 | Meridian + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.1% | 76.1% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
512
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
3234
Meridian
958
Meridian +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 251 | Meridian + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 958 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
23.8%
Fort Collins +
Meridian
28.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
6.2%
Fort Collins +
Meridian
8.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Collins
18.7%
Meridian
15.5%
Meridian +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
9.4%
Meridian
8.2%
Meridian +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
20.3%
Meridian
17.6%
Meridian +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
9.9%
Fort Collins +
Meridian
10.3%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.8% | 28.8% | Fort Collins + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 8.4% | Fort Collins + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.7% | 15.5% | Meridian + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 8.2% | Meridian + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 17.6% | Meridian + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 10.3% | Fort Collins + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Collins
50.3°F
Meridian
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Collins
16.1 in
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
6.2 µg/m³
Fort Collins +
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Collins
75.0%
Meridian
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.7 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 +
Meridian
23.6 min
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.8 min | 23.6 min | Fort Collins + |
Which City is Right for You?
Meridian leads in median household income at $98,686, while meridian offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $534,732. On public safety, Meridian is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Fort Collins. Meridian has a lower unemployment rate at 2.4%, 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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