Fort Collins CO vs San Francisco 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%
San Francisco, CA
California · Population: 836,321
- Median HH Income$141,446
- Median Home Price$1,369,171
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+60.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Collins
169,705
San Francisco
836,321
San Francisco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Collins
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
Median Age
Fort Collins
30.6
Fort Collins +
San Francisco
39.7
Foreign Born
Fort Collins
6.6%
San Francisco
34.2%
San Francisco +
White
Fort Collins
81.7%
Fort Collins +
San Francisco
40.5%
Black
Fort Collins
1.4%
San Francisco
5.1%
San Francisco +
Asian
Fort Collins
3.4%
San Francisco
35.0%
San Francisco +
Hispanic
Fort Collins
12.3%
San Francisco
15.9%
San Francisco +
Spanish at Home
Fort Collins
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,705 | 836,321 | San Francisco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.6 | 39.7 | Fort Collins + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 34.2% | San Francisco + |
| White | 81.7% | 40.5% | Fort Collins + |
| Black | 1.4% | 5.1% | San Francisco + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 35.0% | San Francisco + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 15.9% | San Francisco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Collins
$83,598
San Francisco
$141,446
San Francisco +
Per Capita Income
Fort Collins
$46,341
San Francisco
$90,285
San Francisco +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Collins
$76,653
San Francisco
$77,230
San Francisco +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Collins
5.2%
Fort Collins +
San Francisco
5.6%
Poverty Rate
Fort Collins
16.0%
San Francisco
10.6%
San Francisco +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Collins
59.9%
San Francisco
60.1%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,598 | $141,446 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,341 | $90,285 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $77,230 | San Francisco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.6% | Fort Collins + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 10.6% | San Francisco + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.9% | 60.1% | San Francisco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Collins
$568,389
Fort Collins +
San Francisco
$1,369,171
Homeownership Rate
Fort Collins
52.1%
Fort Collins +
San Francisco
38.5%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $568,389 | $1,369,171 | Fort Collins + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.1% | 38.5% | Fort Collins + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
512
San Francisco
503
San Francisco +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
3234
San Francisco
2388
San Francisco +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 503 | San Francisco + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2388 | San Francisco + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
23.8%
San Francisco
17.5%
San Francisco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
6.2%
Fort Collins +
San Francisco
9.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Collins
18.7%
San Francisco
14.5%
San Francisco +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
9.4%
San Francisco
6.6%
San Francisco +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
20.3%
San Francisco
19.6%
San Francisco +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
9.9%
San Francisco
9.1%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.8% | 17.5% | San Francisco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 9.7% | Fort Collins + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.7% | 14.5% | San Francisco + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 6.6% | San Francisco + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 19.6% | San Francisco + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 9.1% | San Francisco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Collins
50.3°F
Fort Collins +
San Francisco
55.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Collins
16.1 in
Fort Collins +
San Francisco
20.7 in
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 55.3°F | Fort Collins + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.1 in | 20.7 in | Fort Collins + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
6.2 µg/m³
Fort Collins +
San Francisco
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Collins
75.0%
San Francisco
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | San Francisco, 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 +
San Francisco
33.9 min
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.8 min | 33.9 min | Fort Collins + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Francisco leads in median household income at $141,446, while fort Collins offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $568,389. On public safety, San Francisco 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, San Francisco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 17.5%.
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