Fort Collins CO vs St. Charles MO — 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%
St. Charles, MO
Missouri · Population: 71,542
- Median HH Income$55,578
- Median Home Price$144,200
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+22.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Collins
169,705
Fort Collins +
St. Charles
71,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Collins
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
Median Age
Fort Collins
30.6
Fort Collins +
St. Charles
37.9
Foreign Born
Fort Collins
6.6%
Fort Collins +
St. Charles
4.2%
White
Fort Collins
81.7%
Fort Collins +
St. Charles
80.4%
Black
Fort Collins
1.4%
St. Charles
6.7%
St. Charles +
Asian
Fort Collins
3.4%
Fort Collins +
St. Charles
1.4%
Hispanic
Fort Collins
12.3%
Fort Collins +
St. Charles
7.7%
Spanish at Home
Fort Collins
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,705 | 71,542 | Fort Collins + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.6 | 37.9 | Fort Collins + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 4.2% | Fort Collins + |
| White | 81.7% | 80.4% | Fort Collins + |
| Black | 1.4% | 6.7% | St. Charles + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 1.4% | Fort Collins + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 7.7% | Fort Collins + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Collins
$83,598
Fort Collins +
St. Charles
$55,578
Per Capita Income
Fort Collins
$46,341
Fort Collins +
St. Charles
$31,499
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Collins
$76,653
Fort Collins +
St. Charles
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Fort Collins
5.2%
St. Charles
4.7%
St. Charles +
Poverty Rate
Fort Collins
16.0%
Fort Collins +
St. Charles
18.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Collins
59.9%
Fort Collins +
St. Charles
22.7%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,598 | $55,578 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,341 | $31,499 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $58,527 | Fort Collins + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 4.7% | St. Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 18.7% | Fort Collins + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.9% | 22.7% | Fort Collins + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Collins
$568,389
St. Charles
$144,200
St. Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Collins
52.1%
St. Charles
61.4%
St. Charles +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $568,389 | $144,200 | St. Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.1% | 61.4% | St. Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
512
St. Charles
501
St. Charles +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
3234
St. Charles
2418
St. Charles +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 501 | St. Charles + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2418 | St. Charles + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
23.8%
Fort Collins +
St. Charles
35.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
6.2%
Fort Collins +
St. Charles
10.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Collins
18.7%
St. Charles
16.0%
St. Charles +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
9.4%
St. Charles
7.1%
St. Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
20.3%
St. Charles
18.4%
St. Charles +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
9.9%
Fort Collins +
St. Charles
12.5%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.8% | 35.9% | Fort Collins + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 10.4% | Fort Collins + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.7% | 16.0% | St. Charles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 7.1% | St. Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 18.4% | St. Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 12.5% | Fort Collins + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Collins
50.3°F
St. Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Collins
16.1 in
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | St. Charles, MO | 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 +
St. Charles
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Collins
75.0%
Fort Collins +
St. Charles
55.0%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 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
St. Charles
18.3 min
St. Charles +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.8 min | 18.3 min | St. Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Collins leads in median household income at $83,598, while st. Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $144,200. On public safety, St. Charles is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Fort Collins. St. Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, 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