Fort Collins CO vs Renton WA — 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%
Renton, WA
Washington · Population: 75,721
- Median HH Income$162,099
- Median Home Price$765,686
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+74.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Collins
169,705
Fort Collins +
Renton
75,721
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Collins
N/A
Renton
N/A
Median Age
Fort Collins
30.6
Fort Collins +
Renton
35.0
Foreign Born
Fort Collins
6.6%
Renton
44.4%
Renton +
White
Fort Collins
81.7%
Fort Collins +
Renton
48.7%
Black
Fort Collins
1.4%
Renton
2.2%
Renton +
Asian
Fort Collins
3.4%
Renton
39.2%
Renton +
Hispanic
Fort Collins
12.3%
Fort Collins +
Renton
6.8%
Spanish at Home
Fort Collins
N/A
Renton
N/A
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,705 | 75,721 | Fort Collins + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.6 | 35.0 | Fort Collins + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 44.4% | Renton + |
| White | 81.7% | 48.7% | Fort Collins + |
| Black | 1.4% | 2.2% | Renton + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 39.2% | Renton + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 6.8% | Fort Collins + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Collins
$83,598
Renton
$162,099
Renton +
Per Capita Income
Fort Collins
$46,341
Renton
$89,026
Renton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Collins
$76,653
Fort Collins +
Renton
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Fort Collins
5.2%
Renton
4.1%
Renton +
Poverty Rate
Fort Collins
16.0%
Renton
5.8%
Renton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Collins
59.9%
Renton
74.7%
Renton +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,598 | $162,099 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,341 | $89,026 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $76,120 | Fort Collins + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 4.1% | Renton + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 5.8% | Renton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.9% | 74.7% | Renton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Collins
$568,389
Fort Collins +
Renton
$765,686
Homeownership Rate
Fort Collins
52.1%
Fort Collins +
Renton
45.2%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $568,389 | $765,686 | Fort Collins + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.1% | 45.2% | Fort Collins + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
512
Renton
383
Renton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
3234
Fort Collins +
Renton
3409
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 383 | Renton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 3409 | Fort Collins + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
23.8%
Fort Collins +
Renton
24.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
6.2%
Fort Collins +
Renton
8.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Collins
18.7%
Renton
16.0%
Renton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
9.4%
Renton
9.1%
Renton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
20.3%
Renton
16.1%
Renton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
9.9%
Renton
8.9%
Renton +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.8% | 24.0% | Fort Collins + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 8.5% | Fort Collins + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.7% | 16.0% | Renton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 9.1% | Renton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 16.1% | Renton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 8.9% | Renton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Collins
50.3°F
Fort Collins +
Renton
53.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Collins
16.1 in
Fort Collins +
Renton
40.1 in
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 53.2°F | Fort Collins + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.1 in | 40.1 in | Fort Collins + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
6.2 µg/m³
Fort Collins +
Renton
7.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Collins
75.0%
Renton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 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 +
Renton
25.4 min
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.8 min | 25.4 min | Fort Collins + |
Which City is Right for You?
Renton leads in median household income at $162,099, while fort Collins offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $568,389. On public safety, Renton is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Fort Collins. Renton 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