Fort Collins CO vs Stamford CT — 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%
Stamford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 135,806
- Median HH Income$107,474
- Median Home Price$708,498
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Collins
169,705
Fort Collins +
Stamford
135,806
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Collins
N/A
Stamford
N/A
Median Age
Fort Collins
30.6
Fort Collins +
Stamford
38.2
Foreign Born
Fort Collins
6.6%
Stamford
31.8%
Stamford +
White
Fort Collins
81.7%
Fort Collins +
Stamford
49.1%
Black
Fort Collins
1.4%
Stamford
19.9%
Stamford +
Asian
Fort Collins
3.4%
Stamford
7.1%
Stamford +
Hispanic
Fort Collins
12.3%
Stamford
28.1%
Stamford +
Spanish at Home
Fort Collins
N/A
Stamford
N/A
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,705 | 135,806 | Fort Collins + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.6 | 38.2 | Fort Collins + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 31.8% | Stamford + |
| White | 81.7% | 49.1% | Fort Collins + |
| Black | 1.4% | 19.9% | Stamford + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 7.1% | Stamford + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 28.1% | Stamford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Collins
$83,598
Stamford
$107,474
Stamford +
Per Capita Income
Fort Collins
$46,341
Stamford
$64,382
Stamford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Collins
$76,653
Stamford
$85,393
Stamford +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Collins
5.2%
Stamford
4.9%
Stamford +
Poverty Rate
Fort Collins
16.0%
Stamford
9.5%
Stamford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Collins
59.9%
Fort Collins +
Stamford
51.7%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,598 | $107,474 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,341 | $64,382 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $85,393 | Stamford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 4.9% | Stamford + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 9.5% | Stamford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.9% | 51.7% | Fort Collins + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Collins
$568,389
Fort Collins +
Stamford
$708,498
Homeownership Rate
Fort Collins
52.1%
Fort Collins +
Stamford
47.5%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $568,389 | $708,498 | Fort Collins + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.1% | 47.5% | Fort Collins + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
512
Stamford
156
Stamford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
3234
Stamford
1524
Stamford +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 156 | Stamford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1524 | Stamford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
23.8%
Fort Collins +
Stamford
25.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
6.2%
Fort Collins +
Stamford
8.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Collins
18.7%
Stamford
14.4%
Stamford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
9.4%
Fort Collins +
Stamford
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
20.3%
Stamford
16.4%
Stamford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
9.9%
Stamford
8.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.8% | 25.5% | Fort Collins + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 8.6% | Fort Collins + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.7% | 14.4% | Stamford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 12.3% | Fort Collins + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 16.4% | Stamford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 8.7% | Stamford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Collins
50.3°F
Fort Collins +
Stamford
52.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Collins
16.1 in
Fort Collins +
Stamford
53.2 in
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 52.3°F | Fort Collins + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.1 in | 53.2 in | Fort Collins + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
6.2 µg/m³
Fort Collins +
Stamford
7.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Collins
75.0%
Stamford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.7 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 +
Stamford
30.1 min
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.8 min | 30.1 min | Fort Collins + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stamford leads in median household income at $107,474, while fort Collins offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $568,389. On public safety, Stamford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Fort Collins. Stamford has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, 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