Fort Collins CO vs New Orleans LA — 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%
New Orleans, LA
Louisiana · Population: 376,035
- Median HH Income$55,339
- Median Home Price$245,988
- Unemployment7.8%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Collins
169,705
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Collins
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
Median Age
Fort Collins
30.6
Fort Collins +
New Orleans
38.4
Foreign Born
Fort Collins
6.6%
Fort Collins +
New Orleans
6.6%
White
Fort Collins
81.7%
Fort Collins +
New Orleans
31.6%
Black
Fort Collins
1.4%
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Asian
Fort Collins
3.4%
Fort Collins +
New Orleans
2.8%
Hispanic
Fort Collins
12.3%
Fort Collins +
New Orleans
7.9%
Spanish at Home
Fort Collins
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,705 | 376,035 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.6 | 38.4 | Fort Collins + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 6.6% | Fort Collins + |
| White | 81.7% | 31.6% | Fort Collins + |
| Black | 1.4% | 55.2% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 2.8% | Fort Collins + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 7.9% | Fort Collins + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Collins
$83,598
Fort Collins +
New Orleans
$55,339
Per Capita Income
Fort Collins
$46,341
Fort Collins +
New Orleans
$39,698
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Collins
$76,653
Fort Collins +
New Orleans
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Fort Collins
5.2%
Fort Collins +
New Orleans
7.8%
Poverty Rate
Fort Collins
16.0%
Fort Collins +
New Orleans
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Collins
59.9%
Fort Collins +
New Orleans
41.9%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,598 | $55,339 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,341 | $39,698 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $55,297 | Fort Collins + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 7.8% | Fort Collins + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 22.6% | Fort Collins + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.9% | 41.9% | Fort Collins + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Collins
$568,389
New Orleans
$245,988
New Orleans +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Collins
52.1%
Fort Collins +
New Orleans
50.5%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $568,389 | $245,988 | New Orleans + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.1% | 50.5% | Fort Collins + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
512
Fort Collins +
New Orleans
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
3234
New Orleans
2824
New Orleans +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 643 | Fort Collins + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2824 | New Orleans + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
23.8%
Fort Collins +
New Orleans
34.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
6.2%
Fort Collins +
New Orleans
15.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Collins
18.7%
Fort Collins +
New Orleans
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
9.4%
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
20.3%
New Orleans
19.7%
New Orleans +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
9.9%
Fort Collins +
New Orleans
15.5%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.8% | 34.0% | Fort Collins + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 15.1% | Fort Collins + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.7% | 19.4% | Fort Collins + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 8.7% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 19.7% | New Orleans + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 15.5% | Fort Collins + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Collins
50.3°F
New Orleans
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Collins
16.1 in
Fort Collins +
New Orleans
66.6 in
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.1 in | 66.6 in | Fort Collins + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
6.2 µg/m³
Fort Collins +
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Collins
75.0%
New Orleans
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | New Orleans, LA | 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 +
New Orleans
24.6 min
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.8 min | 24.6 min | Fort Collins + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Collins leads in median household income at $83,598, while new Orleans offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,988. On public safety, Fort Collins is safer with a violent crime rate of 512 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. 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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