Fort Collins CO vs Palm Bay 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%
Palm Bay, FL
Florida · Population: 125,273
- Median HH Income$67,521
- Median Home Price$304,173
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+22.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Collins
169,705
Fort Collins +
Palm Bay
125,273
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Collins
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
Median Age
Fort Collins
30.6
Fort Collins +
Palm Bay
41.3
Foreign Born
Fort Collins
6.6%
Palm Bay
15.1%
Palm Bay +
White
Fort Collins
81.7%
Fort Collins +
Palm Bay
59.2%
Black
Fort Collins
1.4%
Palm Bay
19.3%
Palm Bay +
Asian
Fort Collins
3.4%
Fort Collins +
Palm Bay
2.1%
Hispanic
Fort Collins
12.3%
Palm Bay
19.7%
Palm Bay +
Spanish at Home
Fort Collins
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,705 | 125,273 | Fort Collins + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.6 | 41.3 | Fort Collins + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 15.1% | Palm Bay + |
| White | 81.7% | 59.2% | Fort Collins + |
| Black | 1.4% | 19.3% | Palm Bay + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 2.1% | Fort Collins + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 19.7% | Palm Bay + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Collins
$83,598
Fort Collins +
Palm Bay
$67,521
Per Capita Income
Fort Collins
$46,341
Fort Collins +
Palm Bay
$34,474
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Collins
$76,653
Fort Collins +
Palm Bay
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Fort Collins
5.2%
Fort Collins +
Palm Bay
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Fort Collins
16.0%
Palm Bay
11.6%
Palm Bay +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Collins
59.9%
Fort Collins +
Palm Bay
22.6%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,598 | $67,521 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,341 | $34,474 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $65,328 | Fort Collins + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.9% | Fort Collins + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 11.6% | Palm Bay + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.9% | 22.6% | Fort Collins + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Collins
$568,389
Palm Bay
$304,173
Palm Bay +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Collins
52.1%
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $568,389 | $304,173 | Palm Bay + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.1% | 79.3% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
512
Palm Bay
324
Palm Bay +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
3234
Palm Bay
1453
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 324 | Palm Bay + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1453 | Palm Bay + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
23.8%
Fort Collins +
Palm Bay
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
6.2%
Fort Collins +
Palm Bay
14.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Collins
18.7%
Palm Bay
17.6%
Palm Bay +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
9.4%
Fort Collins +
Palm Bay
14.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
20.3%
Palm Bay
14.4%
Palm Bay +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
9.9%
Fort Collins +
Palm Bay
14.5%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.8% | 36.5% | Fort Collins + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 14.0% | Fort Collins + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.7% | 17.6% | Palm Bay + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 14.2% | Fort Collins + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 14.4% | Palm Bay + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 14.5% | Fort Collins + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Collins
50.3°F
Palm Bay
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Collins
16.1 in
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Palm Bay, 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 +
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Collins
75.0%
Palm Bay
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Palm Bay, 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 +
Palm Bay
29.6 min
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.8 min | 29.6 min | Fort Collins + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Collins leads in median household income at $83,598, while palm Bay offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $304,173. On public safety, Palm Bay 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%.
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