Fort Collins CO vs Pueblo CO — 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%
Pueblo, CO
Colorado · Population: 111,514
- Median HH Income$55,305
- Median Home Price$286,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+22.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Collins
169,705
Fort Collins +
Pueblo
111,514
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Collins
N/A
Pueblo
N/A
Median Age
Fort Collins
30.6
Fort Collins +
Pueblo
38.1
Foreign Born
Fort Collins
6.6%
Fort Collins +
Pueblo
4.0%
White
Fort Collins
81.7%
Fort Collins +
Pueblo
70.3%
Black
Fort Collins
1.4%
Pueblo
2.7%
Pueblo +
Asian
Fort Collins
3.4%
Fort Collins +
Pueblo
0.8%
Hispanic
Fort Collins
12.3%
Pueblo
48.4%
Pueblo +
Spanish at Home
Fort Collins
N/A
Pueblo
N/A
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,705 | 111,514 | Fort Collins + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.6 | 38.1 | Fort Collins + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 4.0% | Fort Collins + |
| White | 81.7% | 70.3% | Fort Collins + |
| Black | 1.4% | 2.7% | Pueblo + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 0.8% | Fort Collins + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 48.4% | Pueblo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Collins
$83,598
Fort Collins +
Pueblo
$55,305
Per Capita Income
Fort Collins
$46,341
Fort Collins +
Pueblo
$30,949
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Collins
$76,653
Pueblo
$76,653
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Fort Collins
5.2%
Fort Collins +
Pueblo
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Fort Collins
16.0%
Fort Collins +
Pueblo
19.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Collins
59.9%
Fort Collins +
Pueblo
22.8%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,598 | $55,305 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,341 | $30,949 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $76,653 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.9% | Fort Collins + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 19.2% | Fort Collins + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.9% | 22.8% | Fort Collins + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Collins
$568,389
Pueblo
$286,326
Pueblo +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Collins
52.1%
Pueblo
60.8%
Pueblo +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $568,389 | $286,326 | Pueblo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.1% | 60.8% | Pueblo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
512
Pueblo
512
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
3234
Pueblo
3234
Tie
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 512 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 3234 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
23.8%
Fort Collins +
Pueblo
33.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
6.2%
Fort Collins +
Pueblo
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Collins
18.7%
Pueblo
18.0%
Pueblo +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
9.4%
Fort Collins +
Pueblo
18.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
20.3%
Pueblo
15.6%
Pueblo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
9.9%
Fort Collins +
Pueblo
15.1%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.8% | 33.5% | Fort Collins + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 13.5% | Fort Collins + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.7% | 18.0% | Pueblo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 18.9% | Fort Collins + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 15.6% | Pueblo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 15.1% | Fort Collins + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Collins
50.3°F
Fort Collins +
Pueblo
53.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Collins
16.1 in
Pueblo
13.0 in
Pueblo +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 53.7°F | Fort Collins + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.1 in | 13.0 in | Pueblo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
6.2 µg/m³
Pueblo
6.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Collins
75.0%
Pueblo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Collins
21.8 min
Pueblo
21.1 min
Pueblo +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.8 min | 21.1 min | Pueblo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Collins leads in median household income at $83,598, while pueblo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $286,326. On public safety, Pueblo is safer with a violent crime rate of 512 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Fort Collins. Fort Collins has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Pueblo 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