ColoradoPop. 170,229Mid-size cities
Is Fort Collins a Good Place to Live? Fort Collins, Colorado: cost of living, crime, schools and rankings
Fort Collins ranks #418 of the 1,312 US cities we track, #59 of 256 mid-size cities and #9 of 20 in Colorado. Against similar-size cities it stands out for short commutes (19.5 min, #40 of 256), and trails on low graduation rates (78.1%, #181 of 205).
Fort Collins by the numbers
The measures people check first, each with Fort Collins's rank among the tracked cities and the US figure (or the similar-size median where there is no national figure).
What is the cost of living in Fort Collins?
Fort Collins's cost of living index is 101.1, 1% above the US level of 100 and #753 of 1,308 cities with data (1 = cheapest). Median rent is $1,690/mo against $1,641/mo in similar-size cities. The typical home is worth $560,192, 5% above the typical Colorado home ($532,748).
| Measure | Fort Collins | ColoradoCO | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of living indexBEA Regional Price Parities, metro area · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size 101.8 · US 100 | 101.1#753 of 1,308 | 103.1 | 101.8 | 100 |
| Typical home valueZillow Home Value Index · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $439,863 · US $368,697 | $560,192#902 of 1,187 | $532,748 | $439,863 | $368,697 |
| Typical asking rentZillow Observed Rent Index · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $1,871/mo · US $1,948/mo | $1,960/mo#690 of 1,115 | — | $1,871/mo | $1,948/mo |
| Median home value (Census)Census ACS · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $405,750 | $577,900#1056 of 1,309 | — | $405,750 | — |
| Median rent (Census)Census ACS · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $1,641/mo | $1,690/mo#867 of 1,309 | — | $1,641/mo | — |
| Home value to incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 5x | 6.8x#1130 of 1,309 | — | 5x | — |
| Rent as a share of incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 23.9% | 23.8%#872 of 1,309 | — | 23.9% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 256 cities of 100,000 to 250,000 we track (median). Colorado is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. Zillow figures track homes and rentals on the market now; Census figures are survey medians of all homes and leases, so the two differ.
Fort Collins housing market · August
Typical home value is a monthly index of homes in the middle third of the market; the Census figures above are survey medians and will differ. Source in the data sources list below. Fort Collins is in the Fort Collins, CO metro.
Colorado housing market →Is Fort Collins safe?
Fort Collins recorded 289 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, 12% below the US rate of 328 and 32% below Colorado's 422. That ranks #545 of 1,085 cities with data (1 = safest) and #98 of 235 mid-size cities, from a full year of reports to the FBI by Fort Collins Police Department. Property crime runs 1,773 per 100,000 (US 1,548).
| Measure | Fort Collins | ColoradoCO | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent crime per 100,000FBI Crime Data Explorer · rank 1 = safestSimilar-size 352 · US 328 | 289#545 of 1,085 | 422 | 352 | 328 |
| Property crime per 100,000FBI Crime Data Explorer · rank 1 = safestSimilar-size 1,730 · US 1,548 | 1,773#610 of 1,085 | 2,144 | 1,730 | 1,548 |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 256 cities of 100,000 to 250,000 we track (median). Colorado is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. City rates come from each police agency's report to the FBI and are not strictly comparable across agencies.
What do people earn in Fort Collins?
The median household in Fort Collins earns $85,070, 2% above the US figure of $83,163 and 12% below Colorado ($97,113). Unemployment is 3.8% (US 4.3%). 15.8% of residents live below the poverty line. The population grew 0.5% in the latest year (US +0.5%).
| Measure | Fort Collins | ColoradoCO | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median household incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size $80,112 · US $83,163 | $85,070#536 of 1,312 | $97,113 | $80,112 | $83,163 |
| Unemployment rateBLS LAUS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 4.2% · US 4.3% | 3.8%#390 of 1,058 | 4% | 4.2% | 4.3% |
| Poverty rateCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 12.6% | 15.8%#910 of 1,312 | — | 12.6% | — |
| Population growth, one yearCensus population estimates · rank 1 = fastestSimilar-size +0.3% · US +0.5% | +0.5%#391 of 1,132 | +0.4% | +0.3% | +0.5% |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 256 cities of 100,000 to 250,000 we track (median). Colorado is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure.
Who lives in Fort Collins?
The median resident of Fort Collins is 30.9 years old, against 36.7 in similar-size cities. 60.7% of adults have a bachelor's degree or more, #117 of 1,312 cities (1 = highest). 51.6% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners; the rest are rented.
| Measure | Fort Collins | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median ageCensus ACSSimilar-size 36.7 | 30.9 | 36.7 | — |
| Adults with a bachelor's degree or moreCensus ACS · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size 34% | 60.7%#117 of 1,312 | 34% | — |
| Homes lived in by their ownerCensus ACSSimilar-size 56.7% | 51.6% | 56.7% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 256 cities of 100,000 to 250,000 we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure.
How are Fort Collins's schools and health?
Fort Collins's 43 public schools graduate 78.1% of students in four years (Colorado 82.3%), with 16.5 students per teacher and $14,761 spent per pupil. 23.8% of adults are obese and 6.2% have diabetes, against similar-size city medians of 33.3% and 11.5%.
| Measure | Fort Collins | ColoradoCO | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High school graduation rateDepartment of Education EDFacts · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size 88% | 78.1%#918 of 1,063 | 82.3% | 88% | — |
| Students per teacherNCES Common Core of Data · rank 1 = fewestSimilar-size 17.4 | 16.5#685 of 1,188 | — | 17.4 | — |
| Spending per pupilNCES school finance survey · rank 1 = mostSimilar-size $14,993 | $14,761#615 of 1,188 | — | $14,993 | — |
| Adult obesityCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 33.3% | 23.8%#97 of 1,311 | — | 33.3% | — |
| Adult diabetesCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 11.5% | 6.2%#26 of 1,311 | — | 11.5% | — |
| Adults with frequent mental distressCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 17.5% | 18.7%#992 of 1,311 | — | 17.5% | — |
| Adults without health insuranceCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 11.1% | 9.4%#575 of 1,311 | — | 11.1% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 256 cities of 100,000 to 250,000 we track (median). Colorado is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. 25,639 students are enrolled in Fort Collins's public schools.
What are the commute and weather like in Fort Collins?
The average commute in Fort Collins is 19.5 minutes (Colorado 25.7); 1.3% of workers take transit and 22% work from home. On the EPA's walkability index Fort Collins scores 12.6 of 20 (above average walkable), #393 of 1,312 cities (1 = most walkable). Summers average 70.4°F and winters 32.2°F, with 15.9 inches of precipitation a year.
| Measure | Fort Collins | ColoradoCO | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average commuteCensus ACS · rank 1 = shortestSimilar-size 24.6 min | 19.5 min#304 of 1,312 | 25.7 min | 24.6 min | — |
| Commutes of an hour or moreCensus ACS · rank 1 = fewestSimilar-size 6% | 4.6%#506 of 1,312 | 7.1% | 6% | — |
| Drive alone to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 70.7% | 62.2% | 65.4% | 70.7% | — |
| Take transit to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 1.1% | 1.3% | 1.7% | 1.1% | — |
| Walk to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 1.6% | 4.1% | 2.7% | 1.6% | — |
| Bike to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 0.3% | 4% | 1% | 0.3% | — |
| Work from homeCensus ACSSimilar-size 13.3% | 22% | 19.9% | 13.3% | — |
| Walkability index (1 to 20)EPA National Walkability Index · rank 1 = most walkableSimilar-size 11.6 | 12.6#393 of 1,312 | — | 11.6 | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 256 cities of 100,000 to 250,000 we track (median). Colorado is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. The walkability index is the EPA's, averaged over the city's neighborhoods by population.
| Month | Average high (°F) | Average low (°F) | Precipitation (inches) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 45 | 18.3 | 0.4 |
| Feb | 46.8 | 20.7 | 0.5 |
| Mar | 56.4 | 28.5 | 1.3 |
| Apr | 62.5 | 35.4 | 2.1 |
| May | 70.9 | 44.1 | 2.7 |
| Jun | 81.8 | 52.8 | 1.9 |
| Jul | 87.4 | 58.7 | 1.6 |
| Aug | 85 | 56.5 | 1.5 |
| Sep | 77.4 | 48 | 1.4 |
| Oct | 64.3 | 36.1 | 1.3 |
| Nov | 52.5 | 26.1 | 0.7 |
| Dec | 44 | 18.3 | 0.5 |
Top: average low to average high, °F. Bottom: precipitation, inches. NOAA 30-year climate normals at Ft Collins.
| Measure | Fort Collins | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureNOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 62.1°F | 50.7°F | 62.1°F | — |
| Summer average (Jun–Aug)NOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 76.9°F | 70.4°F | 76.9°F | — |
| Winter average (Dec–Feb)NOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 47.7°F | 32.2°F | 47.7°F | — |
| Precipitation a yearNOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 36.8 in | 15.9 in | 36.8 in | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 256 cities of 100,000 to 250,000 we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure. NOAA 30-year climate normals at Ft Collins.
What are the air quality and natural hazard risks in Fort Collins?
Larimer County's air had a median air quality index of 50, and 51% of measured days were rated good; 11 days were unhealthy for sensitive groups or worse, mostly from ozone. Relative to other US counties, FEMA's National Risk Index puts Larimer County's biggest natural hazard losses in wildfire, hail, and tornado, with expected yearly losses of 0.13% of building value, lower than 67% of US counties.
| Measure | Fort Collins | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median air quality index (county)EPA Air Quality System · rank 1 = cleanestSimilar-size 46 | 50#854 of 1,138 | 46 | — |
| Unhealthy air days a year (county)EPA Air Quality System · rank 1 = fewestSimilar-size 4 | 11#882 of 1,138 | 4 | — |
| Yearly hazard losses, share of building value (county)FEMA National Risk Index · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 0.16% | 0.13%#466 of 1,312 | 0.16% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 256 cities of 100,000 to 250,000 we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure. County figures for Larimer County: the EPA measures air at monitors and FEMA estimates hazard losses by county, not by city.
Natural hazard losses, Larimer County
| Hazard | Yearly loss | Higher than |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 0.02% | 90% of counties |
| Hail | 0.013% | 89% of counties |
| Tornado | 0.01% | 55% of counties |
| Earthquake | 0.0033% | 54% of counties |
| Inland flooding | 0.065% | 29% of counties |
FEMA National Risk Index: expected yearly building losses from each hazard as a share of the county's building value, compared with every US county exposed to that hazard. Loss rates, unlike FEMA's risk ratings, do not rise just because a county has more property.
How does Fort Collins compare with similar-size cities?
Fort Collins is one of 256 cities of 100,000 to 250,000 we track and ranks #59 of them on overall score. The table sets it beside the 8 cities in other states closest to its population of 170,229.
| City | Rank | Score | Income | Rent | Violent crime | Commute |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Collins, COPop. 170,229 | #418 | 59.7 | $85,070 | $1,690/mo | 289 | 19.5 min |
| Shreveport, LAPop. 180,982 | #1273 | 40.2 | $48,699 | $987/mo | 1,163 | 18.8 min |
| Aurora, ILPop. 179,898 | #376 | 60.4 | $93,633 | $1,596/mo | 220 | 27.2 min |
| Cary, NCPop. 179,306 | #41 | 71.2 | $134,905 | $1,738/mo | 75 | 22.5 min |
| Salem, ORPop. 178,865 | #890 | 51.9 | $75,487 | $1,400/mo | 424 | 22 min |
| Clarksville, TNPop. 176,456 | #791 | 53.4 | $69,303 | $1,307/mo | 366 | 27 min |
| Pembroke Pines, FLPop. 173,194 | #528 | 57.6 | $85,104 | $2,046/mo | 42 | 30.4 min |
| Garden Grove, CAPop. 170,964 | #664 | 55.6 | $92,174 | $2,012/mo | 239 | 28.5 min |
| Springfield, MOPop. 169,954 | #1159 | 46.4 | $49,311 | $964/mo | 1,233 | 17.6 min |
Rank is overall rank of 1,312. Income is median household income; rent is Census median rent; violent crime is per 100,000 residents as reported to the FBI ("no data" and "incomplete" are explained on each city's page).
How does Fort Collins compare with the rest of Colorado?
Fort Collins ranks #9 of the 20 Colorado cities we track, with a score of 59.7 against Colorado's statewide 64.7. Its households earn 12% below the Colorado median. Violent crime is 32% below the statewide rate. Homes are 5% above the typical Colorado home.
| City | Rank in CO | Score | Income | Rent | Violent crime |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Broomfield, COPop. 76,304 | #1 | 68.1 | $123,874 | $2,126/mo | 152 |
| Highlands Ranch, COPop. 102,257 | #2 | 68.0 | $159,307 | $2,531/mo | no data |
| Castle Rock, COPop. 79,123 | #3 | 66.8 | $145,197 | $2,000/mo | 30 |
| Centennial, COPop. 108,201 | #4 | 65.5 | $131,928 | $2,148/mo | 192 |
| Parker, COPop. 61,783 | #5 | 63.3 | $133,369 | $2,096/mo | 192 |
| Arvada, COPop. 122,634 | #6 | 62.1 | $117,348 | $1,888/mo | 307 |
| Longmont, COPop. 99,406 | #7 | 60.8 | $90,671 | $1,816/mo | 350 |
| Loveland, COPop. 78,410 | #8 | 60.1 | $84,604 | $1,730/mo | 163 |
| Fort Collins, COPop. 170,229 | #9 | 59.7 | $85,070 | $1,690/mo | 289 |
| Boulder, COPop. 106,433 | #10 | 59.0 | $87,493 | $2,018/mo | 354 |
| Thornton, COPop. 144,187 | #11 | 58.5 | $103,088 | $1,895/mo | 251 |
| Westminster, COPop. 115,484 | #12 | 58.5 | $100,272 | $1,882/mo | 288 |
| Commerce City, COPop. 66,445 | #13 | 54.8 | $111,972 | $1,880/mo | 742 |
| Denver, COPop. 718,877 | #14 | 54.6 | $94,718 | $1,831/mo | 882 |
| Grand Junction, COPop. 68,142 | #15 | 54.5 | $70,080 | $1,142/mo | 536 |
| Lakewood, COPop. 156,583 | #16 | 53.7 | $89,792 | $1,806/mo | 675 |
| Aurora, COPop. 394,432 | #17 | 51.5 | $88,368 | $1,835/mo | 763 |
| Colorado Springs, COPop. 487,887 | #18 | 51.2 | $84,818 | $1,648/mo | 690 |
| Greeley, COPop. 110,806 | #19 | 46.4 | $69,881 | $1,388/mo | 630 |
| Pueblo, COPop. 111,561 | #20 | 42.6 | $56,664 | $1,082/mo | 1,177 |
All 20 Colorado cities we track, by overall score. Colorado statewide: median income $97,113, violent crime 421.7 per 100,000.
How is Fort Collins's score calculated?
Fort Collins scores 59.7 out of 100, #418 of 1,312 (grade B+, which follows rank). It is scored on the 10 of 11 categories with local data; outdoor access is left out rather than filled with Colorado's statewide figure, and the other weights are scaled up to fill the gap. Each score is compared with the median of similar-size cities, which are scored the same way.
- EconomyCity data · 16% of score
Median household income and unemployment in Fort Collins. Similar-size median 52.9.
58.2 - SafetyCity data · 13% of score
Violent and property crime per 100,000 residents, as reported to the FBI by Fort Collins's police agency. Similar-size median 70.6.
75.7 - HealthCity data · 13% of score
Adult obesity, diabetes and frequent mental distress in Fort Collins. Similar-size median 53.8.
75.1 - EducationCity data · 13% of score
Graduation rate, students per teacher and spending per pupil in Fort Collins's public schools. Similar-size median 52.1.
47.5 - AffordabilityCity data · 11% of score
Fort Collins's home values and rents and its metro area's price level. Similar-size median 59.1.
52.2 - Household financesCity data · 9% of score
Median household income and poverty rate in Fort Collins. Similar-size median 51.2.
48.1 - GrowthCity data · 7% of score
Population growth and unemployment in Fort Collins. Similar-size median 42.1.
46.9 - TransportationCity data · 7% of score
Commute time, long commutes, driving alone, transit, walking, cycling and working from home in Fort Collins. Similar-size median 50.1.
69.4 - WalkabilityCity data · 7% of score
The EPA's walkability index across Fort Collins's neighborhoods. Similar-size median 56.1.
61.1 - EnvironmentCounty data · 4% of score
Air quality and natural hazard losses in the county. Similar-size median 45.9.
53.4 - Outdoor accessNot scored
No city-level park or public land measure exists, so outdoor access is not scored for cities.
—
Bar: Fort Collins's category score out of 100. Tick: median of the 256 cities of 100,000 to 250,000 we track. Shares of score are the category weights rescaled over the categories Fort Collins has data for. City scores use city formulas and are not on the same scale as state scores. Grades follow rank among the 1,312 cities. Methodology
Frequently asked questions about living in Fort Collins
Is Fort Collins, CO a good place to live?
Fort Collins ranks #418 of the 1,312 US cities we track, #59 of 256 mid-size cities and #9 of 20 in Colorado. Against similar-size cities it stands out for short commutes (19.5 min, #40 of 256), and trails on low graduation rates (78.1%, #181 of 205).
What is the cost of living in Fort Collins?
Fort Collins's cost of living index is 101.1, 1% above the US level of 100 and #753 of 1,308 cities with data (1 = cheapest). Median rent is $1,690/mo against $1,641/mo in similar-size cities. The typical home is worth $560,192, 5% above the typical Colorado home ($532,748).
What is the crime rate in Fort Collins?
Fort Collins recorded 289 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, 12% below the US rate of 328 and 32% below Colorado's 422. That ranks #545 of 1,085 cities with data (1 = safest) and #98 of 235 mid-size cities, from a full year of reports to the FBI by Fort Collins Police Department. Property crime runs 1,773 per 100,000 (US 1,548).
What is the median household income in Fort Collins?
The median household in Fort Collins earns $85,070, 2% above the US figure of $83,163 and 12% below Colorado ($97,113). Unemployment is 3.8% (US 4.3%). 15.8% of residents live below the poverty line. The population grew 0.5% in the latest year (US +0.5%).
How much is rent in Fort Collins?
Median rent in Fort Collins is $1,690/mo (Census), #867 of 1,309 cities with data (1 = cheapest). The typical asking rent for a unit on the market now is $1,960/mo, against $1,948/mo nationally. Median rent takes 23.8% of the median household's income.
How much does a house cost in Fort Collins?
The typical home value in Fort Collins is $560,192, down 0.2% in a year, against $532,748 for Colorado and $368,697 nationally. The Census median value of owner-occupied homes is $577,900.
How are the public schools in Fort Collins?
Fort Collins's 43 public schools graduate 78.1% of students in four years (Colorado 82.3%), with 16.5 students per teacher and $14,761 spent per pupil.
How long is the commute in Fort Collins?
The average commute is 19.5 minutes, #304 of 1,312 cities (1 = shortest), against 25.7 minutes across Colorado. 4.6% of workers spend an hour or more getting to work.
What is the weather like in Fort Collins?
Fort Collins averages 50.7°F over the year, 70.4°F in summer and 32.2°F in winter, with 15.9 inches of precipitation. Figures are NOAA climate normals.
Is Fort Collins walkable?
Fort Collins scores 12.6 out of 20 on the EPA's National Walkability Index (above average walkable), #393 of 1,312 cities (1 = most walkable). The index weighs street intersection density, distance to transit and the mix of homes and jobs in each neighborhood.
What natural disasters is Fort Collins at risk for?
Relative to other US counties, FEMA's National Risk Index puts Larimer County's biggest natural hazard losses in wildfire, hail, and tornado, with expected yearly losses of 0.13% of building value, lower than 67% of US counties.
How is the air quality in Fort Collins?
Larimer County's air had a median air quality index of 50, and 51% of measured days were rated good; 11 days were unhealthy for sensitive groups or worse, mostly from ozone.
Who lives in Fort Collins?
Fort Collins has 170,229 residents. The median resident of Fort Collins is 30.9 years old, against 36.7 in similar-size cities. 60.7% of adults have a bachelor's degree or more, #117 of 1,312 cities (1 = highest). 51.6% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners; the rest are rented.
How does Fort Collins compare with the rest of Colorado?
Fort Collins ranks #9 of the 20 Colorado cities we track, with a score of 59.7 against Colorado's statewide 64.7. Its households earn 12% below the Colorado median. Violent crime is 32% below the statewide rate. Homes are 5% above the typical Colorado home.
What cities are similar in size to Fort Collins?
The tracked cities in other states closest to Fort Collins's population of 170,229 are Shreveport, LA (#1273 overall), Aurora, IL (#376 overall), Cary, NC (#41 overall), Salem, OR (#890 overall), and Clarksville, TN (#791 overall). Fort Collins is #418.