Fort Collins CO vs Miami Gardens FL — 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%
Miami Gardens, FL
Florida · Population: 11,627
- Median HH Income$137,873
- Median Home Price$472,888
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+64.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Collins
169,705
Fort Collins +
Miami Gardens
11,627
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Collins
N/A
Miami Gardens
N/A
Median Age
Fort Collins
30.6
Fort Collins +
Miami Gardens
37.7
Foreign Born
Fort Collins
6.6%
Miami Gardens
29.1%
Miami Gardens +
White
Fort Collins
81.7%
Fort Collins +
Miami Gardens
52.5%
Black
Fort Collins
1.4%
Miami Gardens
15.3%
Miami Gardens +
Asian
Fort Collins
3.4%
Miami Gardens
3.5%
Miami Gardens +
Hispanic
Fort Collins
12.3%
Miami Gardens
34.0%
Miami Gardens +
Spanish at Home
Fort Collins
N/A
Miami Gardens
N/A
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,705 | 11,627 | Fort Collins + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.6 | 37.7 | Fort Collins + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 29.1% | Miami Gardens + |
| White | 81.7% | 52.5% | Fort Collins + |
| Black | 1.4% | 15.3% | Miami Gardens + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 3.5% | Miami Gardens + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 34.0% | Miami Gardens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Collins
$83,598
Miami Gardens
$137,873
Miami Gardens +
Per Capita Income
Fort Collins
$46,341
Miami Gardens
$57,003
Miami Gardens +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Collins
$76,653
Fort Collins +
Miami Gardens
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Fort Collins
5.2%
Fort Collins +
Miami Gardens
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Fort Collins
16.0%
Miami Gardens
7.9%
Miami Gardens +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Collins
59.9%
Miami Gardens
64.7%
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,598 | $137,873 | Miami Gardens + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,341 | $57,003 | Miami Gardens + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $65,328 | Fort Collins + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 6.5% | Fort Collins + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 7.9% | Miami Gardens + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.9% | 64.7% | Miami Gardens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Collins
$568,389
Miami Gardens
$472,888
Miami Gardens +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Collins
52.1%
Miami Gardens
86.7%
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $568,389 | $472,888 | Miami Gardens + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.1% | 86.7% | Miami Gardens + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
512
Miami Gardens
324
Miami Gardens +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
3234
Miami Gardens
1453
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 324 | Miami Gardens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1453 | Miami Gardens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
23.8%
Fort Collins +
Miami Gardens
34.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
6.2%
Fort Collins +
Miami Gardens
17.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Collins
18.7%
Miami Gardens
17.5%
Miami Gardens +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
9.4%
Fort Collins +
Miami Gardens
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
20.3%
Miami Gardens
12.7%
Miami Gardens +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
9.9%
Fort Collins +
Miami Gardens
15.4%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.8% | 34.3% | Fort Collins + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 17.3% | Fort Collins + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.7% | 17.5% | Miami Gardens + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 22.4% | Fort Collins + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 12.7% | Miami Gardens + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 15.4% | Fort Collins + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Collins
50.3°F
Miami Gardens
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Collins
16.1 in
Miami Gardens
N/A
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Miami Gardens, FL | 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 +
Miami Gardens
7.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Collins
75.0%
Miami Gardens
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 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 +
Miami Gardens
29.2 min
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.8 min | 29.2 min | Fort Collins + |
Which City is Right for You?
Miami Gardens leads in median household income at $137,873, while miami Gardens offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $472,888. On public safety, Miami Gardens is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Fort Collins. 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%.
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