Fort Collins CO vs Sandy 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%
Sandy, UT
Utah · Population: 94,723
- Median HH Income$111,242
- Median Home Price$672,082
- Unemployment2.5%
- Bachelor's+45.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Collins
169,705
Fort Collins +
Sandy
94,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Collins
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Median Age
Fort Collins
30.6
Fort Collins +
Sandy
36.9
Foreign Born
Fort Collins
6.6%
Sandy
10.3%
Sandy +
White
Fort Collins
81.7%
Sandy
81.8%
Sandy +
Black
Fort Collins
1.4%
Fort Collins +
Sandy
0.8%
Asian
Fort Collins
3.4%
Sandy
3.5%
Sandy +
Hispanic
Fort Collins
12.3%
Fort Collins +
Sandy
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Fort Collins
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,705 | 94,723 | Fort Collins + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.6 | 36.9 | Fort Collins + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 10.3% | Sandy + |
| White | 81.7% | 81.8% | Sandy + |
| Black | 1.4% | 0.8% | Fort Collins + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 3.5% | Sandy + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 11.3% | Fort Collins + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Collins
$83,598
Sandy
$111,242
Sandy +
Per Capita Income
Fort Collins
$46,341
Sandy
$50,592
Sandy +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Collins
$76,653
Fort Collins +
Sandy
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Fort Collins
5.2%
Sandy
2.5%
Sandy +
Poverty Rate
Fort Collins
16.0%
Sandy
5.5%
Sandy +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Collins
59.9%
Fort Collins +
Sandy
45.7%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,598 | $111,242 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,341 | $50,592 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $60,713 | Fort Collins + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 2.5% | Sandy + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 5.5% | Sandy + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.9% | 45.7% | Fort Collins + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Collins
$568,389
Fort Collins +
Sandy
$672,082
Homeownership Rate
Fort Collins
52.1%
Sandy
75.9%
Sandy +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $568,389 | $672,082 | Fort Collins + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.1% | 75.9% | Sandy + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
512
Sandy
245
Sandy +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
3234
Sandy
1931
Sandy +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 245 | Sandy + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1931 | Sandy + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
23.8%
Fort Collins +
Sandy
28.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
6.2%
Fort Collins +
Sandy
8.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Collins
18.7%
Sandy
16.5%
Sandy +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
9.4%
Sandy
8.7%
Sandy +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
20.3%
Sandy
15.2%
Sandy +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
9.9%
Sandy
7.4%
Sandy +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.8% | 28.5% | Fort Collins + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 8.4% | Fort Collins + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.7% | 16.5% | Sandy + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 8.7% | Sandy + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 15.2% | Sandy + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 7.4% | Sandy + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Collins
50.3°F
Sandy
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Collins
16.1 in
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Sandy, UT | 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 +
Sandy
7.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Collins
75.0%
Sandy
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Sandy, 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
Fort Collins +
Sandy
24.6 min
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.8 min | 24.6 min | Fort Collins + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy leads in median household income at $111,242, while fort Collins offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $568,389. On public safety, Sandy is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Fort Collins. Sandy has a lower unemployment rate at 2.5%, 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