Fort Collins CO vs Salt Lake City UT — 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%
Salt Lake City, UT
Utah · Population: 203,888
- Median HH Income$74,925
- Median Home Price$580,126
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+50.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Collins
169,705
Salt Lake City
203,888
Salt Lake City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Collins
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
Fort Collins
30.6
Fort Collins +
Salt Lake City
33.0
Foreign Born
Fort Collins
6.6%
Salt Lake City
15.4%
Salt Lake City +
White
Fort Collins
81.7%
Fort Collins +
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Black
Fort Collins
1.4%
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Salt Lake City +
Asian
Fort Collins
3.4%
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Salt Lake City +
Hispanic
Fort Collins
12.3%
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Salt Lake City +
Spanish at Home
Fort Collins
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,705 | 203,888 | Salt Lake City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.6 | 33.0 | Fort Collins + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 15.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| White | 81.7% | 70.5% | Fort Collins + |
| Black | 1.4% | 2.7% | Salt Lake City + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 5.3% | Salt Lake City + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 20.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Collins
$83,598
Fort Collins +
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Per Capita Income
Fort Collins
$46,341
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Collins
$76,653
Fort Collins +
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Fort Collins
5.2%
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Salt Lake City +
Poverty Rate
Fort Collins
16.0%
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Salt Lake City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Collins
59.9%
Fort Collins +
Salt Lake City
50.9%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,598 | $74,925 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,341 | $49,642 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $60,713 | Fort Collins + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 3.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 13.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.9% | 50.9% | Fort Collins + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Collins
$568,389
Fort Collins +
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Homeownership Rate
Fort Collins
52.1%
Fort Collins +
Salt Lake City
46.8%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $568,389 | $580,126 | Fort Collins + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.1% | 46.8% | Fort Collins + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
512
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
3234
Salt Lake City
1931
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 245 | Salt Lake City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1931 | Salt Lake City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
23.8%
Fort Collins +
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
6.2%
Fort Collins +
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Collins
18.7%
Salt Lake City
18.2%
Salt Lake City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
9.4%
Fort Collins +
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
20.3%
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Salt Lake City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
9.9%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.8% | 29.5% | Fort Collins + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 7.9% | Fort Collins + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.7% | 18.2% | Salt Lake City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 12.3% | Fort Collins + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 16.0% | Salt Lake City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Collins
50.3°F
Fort Collins +
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Collins
16.1 in
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
Tie
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 52.8°F | Fort Collins + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.1 in | 16.1 in | Tie |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
6.2 µg/m³
Fort Collins +
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Collins
75.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Fort Collins + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Collins
21.8 min
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.8 min | 21.3 min | Salt Lake City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Collins leads in median household income at $83,598, while fort Collins offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $568,389. On public safety, Salt Lake City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Fort Collins. Salt Lake City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, 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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