Fort Collins CO vs Rancho Cucamonga CA — 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%
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
California · Population: 174,693
- Median HH Income$109,511
- Median Home Price$791,317
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+37.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Collins
169,705
Rancho Cucamonga
174,693
Rancho Cucamonga +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Collins
N/A
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
Median Age
Fort Collins
30.6
Fort Collins +
Rancho Cucamonga
37.9
Foreign Born
Fort Collins
6.6%
Rancho Cucamonga
21.1%
Rancho Cucamonga +
White
Fort Collins
81.7%
Fort Collins +
Rancho Cucamonga
44.0%
Black
Fort Collins
1.4%
Rancho Cucamonga
8.3%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Asian
Fort Collins
3.4%
Rancho Cucamonga
15.4%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Hispanic
Fort Collins
12.3%
Rancho Cucamonga
38.5%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Spanish at Home
Fort Collins
N/A
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,705 | 174,693 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.6 | 37.9 | Fort Collins + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 21.1% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| White | 81.7% | 44.0% | Fort Collins + |
| Black | 1.4% | 8.3% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 15.4% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 38.5% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Collins
$83,598
Rancho Cucamonga
$109,511
Rancho Cucamonga +
Per Capita Income
Fort Collins
$46,341
Fort Collins +
Rancho Cucamonga
$45,626
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Collins
$76,653
Rancho Cucamonga
$77,230
Rancho Cucamonga +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Collins
5.2%
Fort Collins +
Rancho Cucamonga
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Fort Collins
16.0%
Rancho Cucamonga
8.0%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Collins
59.9%
Fort Collins +
Rancho Cucamonga
37.3%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,598 | $109,511 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,341 | $45,626 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $77,230 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.8% | Fort Collins + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 8.0% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.9% | 37.3% | Fort Collins + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Collins
$568,389
Fort Collins +
Rancho Cucamonga
$791,317
Homeownership Rate
Fort Collins
52.1%
Rancho Cucamonga
63.3%
Rancho Cucamonga +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $568,389 | $791,317 | Fort Collins + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.1% | 63.3% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
512
Rancho Cucamonga
503
Rancho Cucamonga +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
3234
Rancho Cucamonga
2388
Rancho Cucamonga +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 503 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2388 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
23.8%
Fort Collins +
Rancho Cucamonga
30.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
6.2%
Fort Collins +
Rancho Cucamonga
10.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Collins
18.7%
Rancho Cucamonga
16.1%
Rancho Cucamonga +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
9.4%
Rancho Cucamonga
8.8%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
20.3%
Rancho Cucamonga
15.8%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
9.9%
Fort Collins +
Rancho Cucamonga
10.1%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.8% | 30.0% | Fort Collins + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 10.5% | Fort Collins + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.7% | 16.1% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 8.8% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 15.8% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 10.1% | Fort Collins + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Collins
50.3°F
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Collins
16.1 in
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | 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 +
Rancho Cucamonga
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Collins
75.0%
Rancho Cucamonga
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 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 +
Rancho Cucamonga
34.6 min
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.8 min | 34.6 min | Fort Collins + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rancho Cucamonga leads in median household income at $109,511, while fort Collins offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $568,389. On public safety, Rancho Cucamonga is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 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%.
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