Fort Collins CO vs Westminster CO — 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%
Westminster, CO
Colorado · Population: 115,546
- Median HH Income$96,145
- Median Home Price$528,447
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Collins
169,705
Fort Collins +
Westminster
115,546
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Collins
N/A
Westminster
N/A
Median Age
Fort Collins
30.6
Fort Collins +
Westminster
37.5
Foreign Born
Fort Collins
6.6%
Westminster
8.2%
Westminster +
White
Fort Collins
81.7%
Fort Collins +
Westminster
74.7%
Black
Fort Collins
1.4%
Fort Collins +
Westminster
1.2%
Asian
Fort Collins
3.4%
Westminster
4.7%
Westminster +
Hispanic
Fort Collins
12.3%
Westminster
23.7%
Westminster +
Spanish at Home
Fort Collins
N/A
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,705 | 115,546 | Fort Collins + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.6 | 37.5 | Fort Collins + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 8.2% | Westminster + |
| White | 81.7% | 74.7% | Fort Collins + |
| Black | 1.4% | 1.2% | Fort Collins + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 4.7% | Westminster + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 23.7% | Westminster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Collins
$83,598
Westminster
$96,145
Westminster +
Per Capita Income
Fort Collins
$46,341
Westminster
$51,982
Westminster +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Collins
$76,653
Westminster
$76,653
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Fort Collins
5.2%
Westminster
3.8%
Westminster +
Poverty Rate
Fort Collins
16.0%
Westminster
7.0%
Westminster +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Collins
59.9%
Fort Collins +
Westminster
44.0%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,598 | $96,145 | Westminster + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,341 | $51,982 | Westminster + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $76,653 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 3.8% | Westminster + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 7.0% | Westminster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.9% | 44.0% | Fort Collins + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Collins
$568,389
Westminster
$528,447
Westminster +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Collins
52.1%
Westminster
63.7%
Westminster +
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $568,389 | $528,447 | Westminster + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.1% | 63.7% | Westminster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
512
Westminster
512
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Collins
3234
Westminster
3234
Tie
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 512 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 3234 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
23.8%
Fort Collins +
Westminster
27.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
6.2%
Fort Collins +
Westminster
8.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Collins
18.7%
Westminster
16.1%
Westminster +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
9.4%
Fort Collins +
Westminster
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
20.3%
Westminster
18.7%
Westminster +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Collins
9.9%
Fort Collins +
Westminster
11.1%
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.8% | 27.7% | Fort Collins + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 8.4% | Fort Collins + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.7% | 16.1% | Westminster + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 11.1% | Fort Collins + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 18.7% | Westminster + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 11.1% | Fort Collins + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Collins
50.3°F
Westminster
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Collins
16.1 in
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Westminster, CO | 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
Westminster
6.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Collins
75.0%
Westminster
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Collins
21.8 min
Fort Collins +
Westminster
28.6 min
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.8 min | 28.6 min | Fort Collins + |
Which City is Right for You?
Westminster leads in median household income at $96,145, while westminster offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $528,447. On public safety, Westminster is safer with a violent crime rate of 512 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Fort Collins. Westminster has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Westminster 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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