Fort Collins CO vs Sacramento 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%
Sacramento, CA
California · Population: 524,802
- Median HH Income$83,753
- Median Home Price$480,548
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+36.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Collins
169,705
Sacramento
524,802
Sacramento +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Collins
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
Median Age
Fort Collins
30.6
Fort Collins +
Sacramento
35.7
Foreign Born
Fort Collins
6.6%
Sacramento
21.3%
Sacramento +
White
Fort Collins
81.7%
Fort Collins +
Sacramento
36.8%
Black
Fort Collins
1.4%
Sacramento
12.4%
Sacramento +
Asian
Fort Collins
3.4%
Sacramento
19.7%
Sacramento +
Hispanic
Fort Collins
12.3%
Sacramento
29.5%
Sacramento +
Spanish at Home
Fort Collins
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,705 | 524,802 | Sacramento + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.6 | 35.7 | Fort Collins + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 21.3% | Sacramento + |
| White | 81.7% | 36.8% | Fort Collins + |
| Black | 1.4% | 12.4% | Sacramento + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 19.7% | Sacramento + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 29.5% | Sacramento + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Collins
$83,598
Sacramento
$83,753
Sacramento +
Per Capita Income
Fort Collins
$46,341
Fort Collins +
Sacramento
$42,300
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Collins
$76,653
Sacramento
$77,230
Sacramento +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Collins
5.2%
Fort Collins +
Sacramento
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Fort Collins
16.0%
Sacramento
14.4%
Sacramento +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Collins
59.9%
Fort Collins +
Sacramento
36.4%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,598 | $83,753 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,341 | $42,300 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $77,230 | Sacramento + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 6.2% | Fort Collins + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 14.4% | Sacramento + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.9% | 36.4% | Fort Collins + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Collins
$568,389
Sacramento
$480,548
Sacramento +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Collins
52.1%
Fort Collins +
Sacramento
51.5%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $568,389 | $480,548 | Sacramento + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.1% | 51.5% | Fort Collins + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
512
Sacramento
503
Sacramento +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
3234
Sacramento
2388
Sacramento +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 503 | Sacramento + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2388 | Sacramento + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
23.8%
Fort Collins +
Sacramento
30.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
6.2%
Fort Collins +
Sacramento
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Collins
18.7%
Sacramento
17.9%
Sacramento +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
9.4%
Fort Collins +
Sacramento
10.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
20.3%
Sacramento
14.3%
Sacramento +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
9.9%
Fort Collins +
Sacramento
11.9%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.8% | 30.0% | Fort Collins + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 11.2% | Fort Collins + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.7% | 17.9% | Sacramento + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 10.0% | Fort Collins + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 14.3% | Sacramento + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 11.9% | Fort Collins + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Collins
50.3°F
Fort Collins +
Sacramento
61.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Collins
16.1 in
Fort Collins +
Sacramento
18.5 in
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 61.0°F | Fort Collins + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.1 in | 18.5 in | Fort Collins + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
6.2 µg/m³
Fort Collins +
Sacramento
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Collins
75.0%
Sacramento
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Sacramento, 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 +
Sacramento
27.0 min
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.8 min | 27.0 min | Fort Collins + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sacramento leads in median household income at $83,753, while sacramento offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $480,548. On public safety, Sacramento 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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