Fort Collins CO vs Torrance CA — 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%
Torrance, CA
California · Population: 95,358
- Median HH Income$118,253
- Median Home Price$1,128,110
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Collins
169,705
Fort Collins +
Torrance
95,358
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Collins
N/A
Torrance
N/A
Median Age
Fort Collins
30.6
Fort Collins +
Torrance
35.2
Foreign Born
Fort Collins
6.6%
Torrance
28.7%
Torrance +
White
Fort Collins
81.7%
Fort Collins +
Torrance
34.8%
Black
Fort Collins
1.4%
Torrance
6.1%
Torrance +
Asian
Fort Collins
3.4%
Torrance
22.0%
Torrance +
Hispanic
Fort Collins
12.3%
Torrance
41.4%
Torrance +
Spanish at Home
Fort Collins
N/A
Torrance
N/A
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,705 | 95,358 | Fort Collins + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.6 | 35.2 | Fort Collins + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 28.7% | Torrance + |
| White | 81.7% | 34.8% | Fort Collins + |
| Black | 1.4% | 6.1% | Torrance + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 22.0% | Torrance + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 41.4% | Torrance + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Collins
$83,598
Torrance
$118,253
Torrance +
Per Capita Income
Fort Collins
$46,341
Fort Collins +
Torrance
$42,884
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Collins
$76,653
Torrance
$77,230
Torrance +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Collins
5.2%
Fort Collins +
Torrance
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Fort Collins
16.0%
Torrance
7.7%
Torrance +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Collins
59.9%
Fort Collins +
Torrance
26.2%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,598 | $118,253 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,341 | $42,884 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $77,230 | Torrance + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.9% | Fort Collins + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 7.7% | Torrance + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.9% | 26.2% | Fort Collins + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Collins
$568,389
Fort Collins +
Torrance
$1,128,110
Homeownership Rate
Fort Collins
52.1%
Torrance
64.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $568,389 | $1,128,110 | Fort Collins + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.1% | 64.0% | Torrance + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
512
Torrance
503
Torrance +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
3234
Torrance
2388
Torrance +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 503 | Torrance + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2388 | Torrance + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
23.8%
Torrance
20.3%
Torrance +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
6.2%
Fort Collins +
Torrance
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Collins
18.7%
Torrance
13.3%
Torrance +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
9.4%
Torrance
5.2%
Torrance +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
20.3%
Torrance
14.0%
Torrance +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
9.9%
Torrance
8.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.8% | 20.3% | Torrance + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 10.6% | Fort Collins + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.7% | 13.3% | Torrance + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 5.2% | Torrance + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 14.0% | Torrance + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 8.0% | Torrance + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Collins
50.3°F
Fort Collins +
Torrance
62.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Collins
16.1 in
Torrance
14.5 in
Torrance +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 62.6°F | Fort Collins + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.1 in | 14.5 in | Torrance + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
6.2 µg/m³
Fort Collins +
Torrance
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Collins
75.0%
Torrance
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 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 +
Torrance
44.9 min
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.8 min | 44.9 min | Fort Collins + |
Which City is Right for You?
Torrance leads in median household income at $118,253, while fort Collins offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $568,389. On public safety, Torrance is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 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, Torrance scores better with a lower obesity rate of 20.3%.
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