Fort Collins CO vs Seattle WA — 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Collins
169,705
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Collins
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Fort Collins
30.6
Fort Collins +
Seattle
35.5
Foreign Born
Fort Collins
6.6%
Seattle
19.9%
Seattle +
White
Fort Collins
81.7%
Fort Collins +
Seattle
61.8%
Black
Fort Collins
1.4%
Seattle
6.6%
Seattle +
Asian
Fort Collins
3.4%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
Fort Collins
12.3%
Fort Collins +
Seattle
8.2%
Spanish at Home
Fort Collins
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,705 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.6 | 35.5 | Fort Collins + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 19.9% | Seattle + |
| White | 81.7% | 61.8% | Fort Collins + |
| Black | 1.4% | 6.6% | Seattle + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 8.2% | Fort Collins + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Collins
$83,598
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Fort Collins
$46,341
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Collins
$76,653
Fort Collins +
Seattle
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Fort Collins
5.2%
Seattle
4.2%
Seattle +
Poverty Rate
Fort Collins
16.0%
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Collins
59.9%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,598 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,341 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $76,120 | Fort Collins + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 4.2% | Seattle + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 9.9% | Seattle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.9% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Collins
$568,389
Fort Collins +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Fort Collins
52.1%
Fort Collins +
Seattle
44.3%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $568,389 | $871,599 | Fort Collins + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.1% | 44.3% | Fort Collins + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
512
Seattle
383
Seattle +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
3234
Fort Collins +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 383 | Seattle + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 3409 | Fort Collins + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
23.8%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
6.2%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Collins
18.7%
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
9.4%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
20.3%
Seattle
19.0%
Seattle +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
9.9%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.8% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.7% | 15.3% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 19.0% | Seattle + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Collins
50.3°F
Fort Collins +
Seattle
52.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Collins
16.1 in
Fort Collins +
Seattle
37.5 in
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 52.6°F | Fort Collins + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.1 in | 37.5 in | Fort Collins + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
6.2 µg/m³
Fort Collins +
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Collins
75.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 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 +
Seattle
28.8 min
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.8 min | 28.8 min | Fort Collins + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, while fort Collins offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $568,389. On public safety, Seattle is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Fort Collins. Seattle has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Fort Collins has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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