Fort Collins CO vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Collins
169,705
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Collins
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Fort Collins
30.6
Fort Collins +
Washington
34.9
Foreign Born
Fort Collins
6.6%
Washington
13.3%
Washington +
White
Fort Collins
81.7%
Fort Collins +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Fort Collins
1.4%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Fort Collins
3.4%
Washington
4.1%
Washington +
Hispanic
Fort Collins
12.3%
Fort Collins +
Washington
11.6%
Spanish at Home
Fort Collins
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,705 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.6 | 34.9 | Fort Collins + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 13.3% | Washington + |
| White | 81.7% | 39.1% | Fort Collins + |
| Black | 1.4% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 4.1% | Washington + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 11.6% | Fort Collins + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Collins
$83,598
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Fort Collins
$46,341
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Collins
$76,653
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Collins
5.2%
Fort Collins +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Fort Collins
16.0%
Washington
14.5%
Washington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Collins
59.9%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,598 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,341 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 6.5% | Fort Collins + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 14.5% | Washington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.9% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Collins
$568,389
Fort Collins +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Fort Collins
52.1%
Fort Collins +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $568,389 | $580,173 | Fort Collins + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.1% | 41.1% | Fort Collins + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
512
Washington
398
Washington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
3234
Washington
1999
Washington +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 398 | Washington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1999 | Washington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
23.8%
Fort Collins +
Washington
24.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
6.2%
Fort Collins +
Washington
7.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Collins
18.7%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
9.4%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
20.3%
Fort Collins +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
9.9%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.8% | 24.6% | Fort Collins + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 7.8% | Fort Collins + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.7% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 24.0% | Fort Collins + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Collins
50.3°F
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Collins
16.1 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Washington, DC | 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 +
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Collins
75.0%
Washington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 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 +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.8 min | 32.8 min | Fort Collins + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, while fort Collins offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $568,389. On public safety, Washington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 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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