Fort Collins CO vs Santa Ana 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%
Santa Ana, CA
California · Population: 91,535
- Median HH Income$109,739
- Median Home Price$865,610
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+68.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Collins
169,705
Fort Collins +
Santa Ana
91,535
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Collins
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
Median Age
Fort Collins
30.6
Fort Collins +
Santa Ana
42.9
Foreign Born
Fort Collins
6.6%
Santa Ana
23.2%
Santa Ana +
White
Fort Collins
81.7%
Fort Collins +
Santa Ana
66.9%
Black
Fort Collins
1.4%
Santa Ana
4.9%
Santa Ana +
Asian
Fort Collins
3.4%
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Ana +
Hispanic
Fort Collins
12.3%
Santa Ana
16.4%
Santa Ana +
Spanish at Home
Fort Collins
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,705 | 91,535 | Fort Collins + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.6 | 42.9 | Fort Collins + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 23.2% | Santa Ana + |
| White | 81.7% | 66.9% | Fort Collins + |
| Black | 1.4% | 4.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 9.8% | Santa Ana + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 16.4% | Santa Ana + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Collins
$83,598
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Income
Fort Collins
$46,341
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Collins
$76,653
Santa Ana
$77,230
Santa Ana +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Collins
5.2%
Fort Collins +
Santa Ana
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Fort Collins
16.0%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Collins
59.9%
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,598 | $109,739 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,341 | $90,657 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $77,230 | Santa Ana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 6.1% | Fort Collins + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.9% | 68.9% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Collins
$568,389
Fort Collins +
Santa Ana
$865,610
Homeownership Rate
Fort Collins
52.1%
Fort Collins +
Santa Ana
28.8%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $568,389 | $865,610 | Fort Collins + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.1% | 28.8% | Fort Collins + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
512
Santa Ana
503
Santa Ana +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
3234
Santa Ana
2388
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 503 | Santa Ana + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2388 | Santa Ana + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
23.8%
Fort Collins +
Santa Ana
29.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
6.2%
Fort Collins +
Santa Ana
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Collins
18.7%
Santa Ana
18.7%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
9.4%
Fort Collins +
Santa Ana
20.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
20.3%
Santa Ana
15.7%
Santa Ana +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
9.9%
Fort Collins +
Santa Ana
11.6%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.8% | 29.0% | Fort Collins + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 13.0% | Fort Collins + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.7% | 18.7% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 20.7% | Fort Collins + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 15.7% | Santa Ana + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 11.6% | Fort Collins + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Collins
50.3°F
Fort Collins +
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Collins
16.1 in
Santa Ana
13.6 in
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 65.6°F | Fort Collins + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.1 in | 13.6 in | Santa Ana + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
6.2 µg/m³
Fort Collins +
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Collins
75.0%
Santa Ana
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Santa Ana, 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 +
Santa Ana
28.0 min
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.8 min | 28.0 min | Fort Collins + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, while fort Collins offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $568,389. On public safety, Santa Ana 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, Fort Collins scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.8%.
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