Fort Collins CO vs Rochester MN — 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%
Rochester, MN
Minnesota · Population: 26,509
- Median HH Income$127,247
- Median Home Price$344,633
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+50.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Collins
169,705
Fort Collins +
Rochester
26,509
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Collins
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Fort Collins
30.6
Fort Collins +
Rochester
38.7
Foreign Born
Fort Collins
6.6%
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
White
Fort Collins
81.7%
Rochester
82.9%
Rochester +
Black
Fort Collins
1.4%
Rochester
3.6%
Rochester +
Asian
Fort Collins
3.4%
Rochester
5.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
Fort Collins
12.3%
Fort Collins +
Rochester
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Fort Collins
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,705 | 26,509 | Fort Collins + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.6 | 38.7 | Fort Collins + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 7.1% | Rochester + |
| White | 81.7% | 82.9% | Rochester + |
| Black | 1.4% | 3.6% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 5.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 3.9% | Fort Collins + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Collins
$83,598
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
Per Capita Income
Fort Collins
$46,341
Rochester
$57,602
Rochester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Collins
$76,653
Fort Collins +
Rochester
$69,467
Unemployment Rate
Fort Collins
5.2%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Poverty Rate
Fort Collins
16.0%
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Collins
59.9%
Fort Collins +
Rochester
50.3%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,598 | $127,247 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,341 | $57,602 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $69,467 | Fort Collins + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 2.9% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.9% | 50.3% | Fort Collins + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Collins
$568,389
Rochester
$344,633
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Collins
52.1%
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $568,389 | $344,633 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.1% | 86.6% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
512
Rochester
284
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
3234
Rochester
1992
Rochester +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 284 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1992 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
23.8%
Fort Collins +
Rochester
36.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
6.2%
Fort Collins +
Rochester
9.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Collins
18.7%
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
9.4%
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
20.3%
Rochester
16.0%
Rochester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
9.9%
Fort Collins +
Rochester
11.4%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.8% | 36.4% | Fort Collins + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 9.2% | Fort Collins + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.7% | 14.3% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 7.1% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 16.0% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 11.4% | Fort Collins + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Collins
50.3°F
Rochester
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Collins
16.1 in
Fort Collins +
Rochester
34.0 in
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.1 in | 34.0 in | Fort Collins + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
6.2 µg/m³
Fort Collins +
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Collins
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 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 +
Rochester
28.3 min
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.8 min | 28.3 min | Fort Collins + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rochester leads in median household income at $127,247, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $344,633. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Fort Collins. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, 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%.
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