Fort Collins CO vs Portland ME — 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%
Portland, ME
Maine · Population: 68,505
- Median HH Income$76,174
- Median Home Price$561,069
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Collins
169,705
Fort Collins +
Portland
68,505
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Collins
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Fort Collins
30.6
Fort Collins +
Portland
37.5
Foreign Born
Fort Collins
6.6%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
White
Fort Collins
81.7%
Fort Collins +
Portland
80.1%
Black
Fort Collins
1.4%
Portland
9.0%
Portland +
Asian
Fort Collins
3.4%
Fort Collins +
Portland
3.2%
Hispanic
Fort Collins
12.3%
Fort Collins +
Portland
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Fort Collins
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,705 | 68,505 | Fort Collins + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.6 | 37.5 | Fort Collins + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 11.1% | Portland + |
| White | 81.7% | 80.1% | Fort Collins + |
| Black | 1.4% | 9.0% | Portland + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 3.2% | Fort Collins + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 3.1% | Fort Collins + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Collins
$83,598
Fort Collins +
Portland
$76,174
Per Capita Income
Fort Collins
$46,341
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Collins
$76,653
Fort Collins +
Portland
$61,587
Unemployment Rate
Fort Collins
5.2%
Portland
4.4%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Fort Collins
16.0%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Collins
59.9%
Fort Collins +
Portland
59.2%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,598 | $76,174 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,341 | $52,125 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $61,587 | Fort Collins + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 4.4% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.9% | 59.2% | Fort Collins + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Collins
$568,389
Portland
$561,069
Portland +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Collins
52.1%
Fort Collins +
Portland
46.7%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $568,389 | $561,069 | Portland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.1% | 46.7% | Fort Collins + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
512
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
3234
Portland
1234
Portland +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 106 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1234 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
23.8%
Fort Collins +
Portland
27.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
6.2%
Fort Collins +
Portland
8.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Collins
18.7%
Portland
17.8%
Portland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
9.4%
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
20.3%
Portland
18.3%
Portland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
9.9%
Fort Collins +
Portland
11.1%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.8% | 27.7% | Fort Collins + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 8.3% | Fort Collins + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.7% | 17.8% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 7.2% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 18.3% | Portland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 11.1% | Fort Collins + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Collins
50.3°F
Portland
46.5°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Collins
16.1 in
Fort Collins +
Portland
47.3 in
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 46.5°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.1 in | 47.3 in | Fort Collins + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
6.2 µg/m³
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Collins
75.0%
Portland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Collins
21.8 min
Portland
21.4 min
Portland +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.8 min | 21.4 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Collins leads in median household income at $83,598, while portland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $561,069. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Fort Collins. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Collins scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.8%.
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