Fort Collins CO vs Tallahassee FL — 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%
Tallahassee, FL
Florida · Population: 199,696
- Median HH Income$55,931
- Median Home Price$293,664
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+51.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Collins
169,705
Tallahassee
199,696
Tallahassee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Collins
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
Median Age
Fort Collins
30.6
Tallahassee
28.0
Tallahassee +
Foreign Born
Fort Collins
6.6%
Tallahassee
8.0%
Tallahassee +
White
Fort Collins
81.7%
Fort Collins +
Tallahassee
50.7%
Black
Fort Collins
1.4%
Tallahassee
35.7%
Tallahassee +
Asian
Fort Collins
3.4%
Tallahassee
4.0%
Tallahassee +
Hispanic
Fort Collins
12.3%
Fort Collins +
Tallahassee
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Fort Collins
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,705 | 199,696 | Tallahassee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.6 | 28.0 | Tallahassee + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 8.0% | Tallahassee + |
| White | 81.7% | 50.7% | Fort Collins + |
| Black | 1.4% | 35.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 4.0% | Tallahassee + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 8.6% | Fort Collins + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Collins
$83,598
Fort Collins +
Tallahassee
$55,931
Per Capita Income
Fort Collins
$46,341
Fort Collins +
Tallahassee
$35,704
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Collins
$76,653
Fort Collins +
Tallahassee
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Fort Collins
5.2%
Fort Collins +
Tallahassee
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Fort Collins
16.0%
Fort Collins +
Tallahassee
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Collins
59.9%
Fort Collins +
Tallahassee
51.0%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,598 | $55,931 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,341 | $35,704 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $65,328 | Fort Collins + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 6.5% | Fort Collins + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 23.2% | Fort Collins + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.9% | 51.0% | Fort Collins + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Collins
$568,389
Tallahassee
$293,664
Tallahassee +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Collins
52.1%
Fort Collins +
Tallahassee
39.5%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $568,389 | $293,664 | Tallahassee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.1% | 39.5% | Fort Collins + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
512
Tallahassee
324
Tallahassee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
3234
Tallahassee
1453
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 324 | Tallahassee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1453 | Tallahassee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
23.8%
Fort Collins +
Tallahassee
34.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
6.2%
Fort Collins +
Tallahassee
9.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Collins
18.7%
Fort Collins +
Tallahassee
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
9.4%
Fort Collins +
Tallahassee
13.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
20.3%
Tallahassee
16.7%
Tallahassee +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
9.9%
Fort Collins +
Tallahassee
12.2%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.8% | 34.1% | Fort Collins + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 9.6% | Fort Collins + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.7% | 20.3% | Fort Collins + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 13.2% | Fort Collins + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 16.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 12.2% | Fort Collins + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Collins
50.3°F
Fort Collins +
Tallahassee
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Collins
16.1 in
Fort Collins +
Tallahassee
58.1 in
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 67.6°F | Fort Collins + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.1 in | 58.1 in | Fort Collins + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
6.2 µg/m³
Fort Collins +
Tallahassee
7.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Collins
75.0%
Tallahassee
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Fort Collins + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Collins
21.8 min
Tallahassee
20.3 min
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.8 min | 20.3 min | Tallahassee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Collins leads in median household income at $83,598, while tallahassee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $293,664. On public safety, Tallahassee is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 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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