Fort Collins CO vs South Bend IN — 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%
South Bend, IN
Indiana · Population: 102,866
- Median HH Income$52,512
- Median Home Price$194,972
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Collins
169,705
Fort Collins +
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Collins
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Fort Collins
30.6
Fort Collins +
South Bend
33.9
Foreign Born
Fort Collins
6.6%
South Bend
8.9%
South Bend +
White
Fort Collins
81.7%
Fort Collins +
South Bend
54.1%
Black
Fort Collins
1.4%
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Asian
Fort Collins
3.4%
Fort Collins +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Fort Collins
12.3%
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
Spanish at Home
Fort Collins
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,705 | 102,866 | Fort Collins + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.6 | 33.9 | Fort Collins + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 8.9% | South Bend + |
| White | 81.7% | 54.1% | Fort Collins + |
| Black | 1.4% | 24.4% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 1.7% | Fort Collins + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 17.3% | South Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Collins
$83,598
Fort Collins +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Fort Collins
$46,341
Fort Collins +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Collins
$76,653
Fort Collins +
South Bend
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Fort Collins
5.2%
Fort Collins +
South Bend
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Fort Collins
16.0%
Fort Collins +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Collins
59.9%
Fort Collins +
South Bend
29.4%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,598 | $52,512 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,341 | $29,511 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $58,697 | Fort Collins + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 6.0% | Fort Collins + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 22.6% | Fort Collins + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.9% | 29.4% | Fort Collins + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Collins
$568,389
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Collins
52.1%
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $568,389 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.1% | 58.8% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
512
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
3234
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 370 | South Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1719 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
23.8%
Fort Collins +
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
6.2%
Fort Collins +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Collins
18.7%
Fort Collins +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
9.4%
Fort Collins +
South Bend
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
20.3%
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
9.9%
Fort Collins +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.8% | 39.7% | Fort Collins + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 15.2% | Fort Collins + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.7% | 20.3% | Fort Collins + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 12.6% | Fort Collins + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 15.3% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 18.2% | Fort Collins + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Collins
50.3°F
South Bend
49.8°F
South Bend +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Collins
16.1 in
Fort Collins +
South Bend
38.0 in
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 49.8°F | South Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.1 in | 38.0 in | Fort Collins + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
6.2 µg/m³
Fort Collins +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Collins
75.0%
Fort Collins +
South Bend
55.0%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Fort Collins + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Fort Collins + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Collins
21.8 min
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.8 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Collins leads in median household income at $83,598, while south Bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $194,972. On public safety, South Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 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%.
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