Fort Collins CO vs Plano TX — 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%
Plano, TX
Texas · Population: 287,339
- Median HH Income$108,649
- Median Home Price$507,575
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Collins
169,705
Plano
287,339
Plano +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Collins
N/A
Plano
N/A
Median Age
Fort Collins
30.6
Fort Collins +
Plano
39.3
Foreign Born
Fort Collins
6.6%
Plano
28.7%
Plano +
White
Fort Collins
81.7%
Fort Collins +
Plano
53.2%
Black
Fort Collins
1.4%
Plano
9.0%
Plano +
Asian
Fort Collins
3.4%
Plano
22.6%
Plano +
Hispanic
Fort Collins
12.3%
Plano
16.2%
Plano +
Spanish at Home
Fort Collins
N/A
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,705 | 287,339 | Plano + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.6 | 39.3 | Fort Collins + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 28.7% | Plano + |
| White | 81.7% | 53.2% | Fort Collins + |
| Black | 1.4% | 9.0% | Plano + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 22.6% | Plano + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 16.2% | Plano + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Collins
$83,598
Plano
$108,649
Plano +
Per Capita Income
Fort Collins
$46,341
Plano
$57,753
Plano +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Collins
$76,653
Fort Collins +
Plano
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Fort Collins
5.2%
Plano
4.1%
Plano +
Poverty Rate
Fort Collins
16.0%
Plano
7.1%
Plano +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Collins
59.9%
Fort Collins +
Plano
59.2%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,598 | $108,649 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,341 | $57,753 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $63,758 | Fort Collins + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 4.1% | Plano + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 7.1% | Plano + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.9% | 59.2% | Fort Collins + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Collins
$568,389
Plano
$507,575
Plano +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Collins
52.1%
Plano
56.6%
Plano +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $568,389 | $507,575 | Plano + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.1% | 56.6% | Plano + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
512
Plano
442
Plano +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
3234
Plano
2339
Plano +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 442 | Plano + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2339 | Plano + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
23.8%
Fort Collins +
Plano
31.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
6.2%
Fort Collins +
Plano
9.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Collins
18.7%
Plano
14.0%
Plano +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
9.4%
Fort Collins +
Plano
10.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
20.3%
Plano
16.4%
Plano +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
9.9%
Plano
8.8%
Plano +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.8% | 31.2% | Fort Collins + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 9.9% | Fort Collins + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.7% | 14.0% | Plano + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 10.3% | Fort Collins + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 16.4% | Plano + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 8.8% | Plano + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Collins
50.3°F
Plano
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Collins
16.1 in
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Plano, TX | 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 +
Plano
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Collins
75.0%
Fort Collins +
Plano
55.0%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Fort Collins + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Fort Collins + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Collins
21.8 min
Fort Collins +
Plano
27.6 min
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.8 min | 27.6 min | Fort Collins + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plano leads in median household income at $108,649, while plano offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $507,575. On public safety, Plano is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Fort Collins. Plano has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, 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