Fort Collins CO vs Saint Paul 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%
Saint Paul, MN
Minnesota · Population: 307,762
- Median HH Income$73,055
- Median Home Price$297,021
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+43.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Collins
169,705
Saint Paul
307,762
Saint Paul +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Collins
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
Median Age
Fort Collins
30.6
Fort Collins +
Saint Paul
33.5
Foreign Born
Fort Collins
6.6%
Saint Paul
18.7%
Saint Paul +
White
Fort Collins
81.7%
Fort Collins +
Saint Paul
53.2%
Black
Fort Collins
1.4%
Saint Paul
16.2%
Saint Paul +
Asian
Fort Collins
3.4%
Saint Paul
17.9%
Saint Paul +
Hispanic
Fort Collins
12.3%
Fort Collins +
Saint Paul
9.1%
Spanish at Home
Fort Collins
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,705 | 307,762 | Saint Paul + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.6 | 33.5 | Fort Collins + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 18.7% | Saint Paul + |
| White | 81.7% | 53.2% | Fort Collins + |
| Black | 1.4% | 16.2% | Saint Paul + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 17.9% | Saint Paul + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 9.1% | Fort Collins + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Collins
$83,598
Fort Collins +
Saint Paul
$73,055
Per Capita Income
Fort Collins
$46,341
Fort Collins +
Saint Paul
$41,594
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Collins
$76,653
Fort Collins +
Saint Paul
$69,467
Unemployment Rate
Fort Collins
5.2%
Saint Paul
4.9%
Saint Paul +
Poverty Rate
Fort Collins
16.0%
Saint Paul
15.8%
Saint Paul +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Collins
59.9%
Fort Collins +
Saint Paul
43.5%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,598 | $73,055 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,341 | $41,594 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $69,467 | Fort Collins + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 4.9% | Saint Paul + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 15.8% | Saint Paul + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.9% | 43.5% | Fort Collins + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Collins
$568,389
Saint Paul
$297,021
Saint Paul +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Collins
52.1%
Saint Paul
53.2%
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $568,389 | $297,021 | Saint Paul + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.1% | 53.2% | Saint Paul + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
512
Saint Paul
284
Saint Paul +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
3234
Saint Paul
1992
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 284 | Saint Paul + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1992 | Saint Paul + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
23.8%
Saint Paul
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
6.2%
Saint Paul
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Collins
18.7%
Saint Paul
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
9.4%
Saint Paul
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
20.3%
Saint Paul
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
9.9%
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.8% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.2% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.7% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.3% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Collins
50.3°F
Saint Paul
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Collins
16.1 in
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Saint Paul, MN | 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 +
Saint Paul
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Collins
75.0%
Saint Paul
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Saint Paul, 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 +
Saint Paul
24.1 min
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.8 min | 24.1 min | Fort Collins + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Collins leads in median household income at $83,598, while saint Paul offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $297,021. On public safety, Saint Paul is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Fort Collins. Saint Paul has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Fort Collins has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³).
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