Fort Collins CO vs Salinas 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%
Salinas, CA
California · Population: 161,993
- Median HH Income$89,150
- Median Home Price$751,711
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+15.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Collins
169,705
Fort Collins +
Salinas
161,993
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Collins
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Fort Collins
30.6
Fort Collins +
Salinas
32.1
Foreign Born
Fort Collins
6.6%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Fort Collins
81.7%
Fort Collins +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Fort Collins
1.4%
Salinas
1.4%
Salinas +
Asian
Fort Collins
3.4%
Salinas
5.7%
Salinas +
Hispanic
Fort Collins
12.3%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Fort Collins
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,705 | 161,993 | Fort Collins + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.6 | 32.1 | Fort Collins + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 81.7% | 21.8% | Fort Collins + |
| Black | 1.4% | 1.4% | Salinas + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 5.7% | Salinas + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Collins
$83,598
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Per Capita Income
Fort Collins
$46,341
Fort Collins +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Collins
$76,653
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Collins
5.2%
Salinas
4.7%
Salinas +
Poverty Rate
Fort Collins
16.0%
Salinas
14.2%
Salinas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Collins
59.9%
Fort Collins +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,598 | $89,150 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,341 | $28,813 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $77,230 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 4.7% | Salinas + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 14.2% | Salinas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.9% | 15.5% | Fort Collins + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Collins
$568,389
Fort Collins +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Fort Collins
52.1%
Fort Collins +
Salinas
47.0%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $568,389 | $751,711 | Fort Collins + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.1% | 47.0% | Fort Collins + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
512
Salinas
503
Salinas +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
3234
Salinas
2388
Salinas +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 503 | Salinas + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2388 | Salinas + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
23.8%
Fort Collins +
Salinas
32.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
6.2%
Fort Collins +
Salinas
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Collins
18.7%
Salinas
18.2%
Salinas +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
9.4%
Fort Collins +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
20.3%
Salinas
16.8%
Salinas +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
9.9%
Fort Collins +
Salinas
12.9%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.8% | 32.8% | Fort Collins + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 12.4% | Fort Collins + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.7% | 18.2% | Salinas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 22.4% | Fort Collins + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 16.8% | Salinas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 12.9% | Fort Collins + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Collins
50.3°F
Fort Collins +
Salinas
57.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Collins
16.1 in
Salinas
15.5 in
Salinas +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 57.3°F | Fort Collins + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.1 in | 15.5 in | Salinas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
6.2 µg/m³
Fort Collins +
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Collins
75.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Salinas, 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 +
Salinas
28.8 min
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.8 min | 28.8 min | Fort Collins + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, while fort Collins offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $568,389. On public safety, Salinas is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Fort Collins. Salinas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, 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