Fort Collins CO vs Round Rock TX — 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%
Round Rock, TX
Texas · Population: 124,288
- Median HH Income$97,187
- Median Home Price$411,570
- Unemployment3.6%
- Bachelor's+43.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Collins
169,705
Fort Collins +
Round Rock
124,288
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Collins
N/A
Round Rock
N/A
Median Age
Fort Collins
30.6
Fort Collins +
Round Rock
36.2
Foreign Born
Fort Collins
6.6%
Round Rock
15.5%
Round Rock +
White
Fort Collins
81.7%
Fort Collins +
Round Rock
58.3%
Black
Fort Collins
1.4%
Round Rock
11.2%
Round Rock +
Asian
Fort Collins
3.4%
Round Rock
7.3%
Round Rock +
Hispanic
Fort Collins
12.3%
Round Rock
29.1%
Round Rock +
Spanish at Home
Fort Collins
N/A
Round Rock
N/A
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,705 | 124,288 | Fort Collins + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.6 | 36.2 | Fort Collins + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 15.5% | Round Rock + |
| White | 81.7% | 58.3% | Fort Collins + |
| Black | 1.4% | 11.2% | Round Rock + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 7.3% | Round Rock + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 29.1% | Round Rock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Collins
$83,598
Round Rock
$97,187
Round Rock +
Per Capita Income
Fort Collins
$46,341
Round Rock
$47,829
Round Rock +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Collins
$76,653
Fort Collins +
Round Rock
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Fort Collins
5.2%
Round Rock
3.6%
Round Rock +
Poverty Rate
Fort Collins
16.0%
Round Rock
7.7%
Round Rock +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Collins
59.9%
Fort Collins +
Round Rock
43.6%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,598 | $97,187 | Round Rock + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,341 | $47,829 | Round Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $63,758 | Fort Collins + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 3.6% | Round Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 7.7% | Round Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.9% | 43.6% | Fort Collins + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Collins
$568,389
Round Rock
$411,570
Round Rock +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Collins
52.1%
Round Rock
56.3%
Round Rock +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $568,389 | $411,570 | Round Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.1% | 56.3% | Round Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
512
Round Rock
442
Round Rock +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
3234
Round Rock
2339
Round Rock +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 442 | Round Rock + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2339 | Round Rock + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
23.8%
Fort Collins +
Round Rock
34.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
6.2%
Fort Collins +
Round Rock
9.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Collins
18.7%
Round Rock
16.6%
Round Rock +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
9.4%
Fort Collins +
Round Rock
14.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
20.3%
Round Rock
17.3%
Round Rock +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
9.9%
Fort Collins +
Round Rock
10.6%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.8% | 34.2% | Fort Collins + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 9.8% | Fort Collins + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.7% | 16.6% | Round Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 14.1% | Fort Collins + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 17.3% | Round Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 10.6% | Fort Collins + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Collins
50.3°F
Round Rock
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Collins
16.1 in
Fort Collins +
Round Rock
35.7 in
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.1 in | 35.7 in | Fort Collins + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
6.2 µg/m³
Fort Collins +
Round Rock
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Collins
75.0%
Fort Collins +
Round Rock
55.0%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Fort Collins + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Fort Collins + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Collins
21.8 min
Fort Collins +
Round Rock
26.1 min
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.8 min | 26.1 min | Fort Collins + |
Which City is Right for You?
Round Rock leads in median household income at $97,187, while round Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $411,570. On public safety, Round Rock is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Fort Collins. Round Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, 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