Living in Fort Collins, Colorado
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Fort Collins · Census data 2020–2024
Fort Collins has 170,229 residents with a median age of 30.9. The median household income is $85,070 (11% lower than the Colorado median), the median home value is $577,900, the median rent is $1,690/month.
Fort Collins at a glance
- Population
- 170,229
- Median age
- 30.9State: 37.7
- Median household income
- $85,070State: $95,470
- Median home value
- $577,900State: $539,400
- Median rent
- $1,690/moState: $1,761
- Homeowners
- 51.6%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 60.7%
- Average commute
- 20 min
Is Fort Collins a good place to live?
Pros: An average commute of 20 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 11% lower than the Colorado median; home values 7% higher than the state median; unemployment of 5.4%; a poverty rate of 15.8%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Fort Collins
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Fort Collins the median home value is $577,900, 74% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,690 per month, which is 33.7% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $2,287 a month in housing costs.
Fort Collins median household income
The median household income in Fort Collins is $85,070 and the income per person is $47,458. 15.8% of residents live below the poverty line (Colorado: 9.4%).
Housing in Fort Collins: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 74,558
- Owner-occupied
- 51.6%
- Renter-occupied
- 48.4%
- Vacant
- 3.7%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1992
- Average household size
- 2.25
Fort Collins demographics
- Population
- 170,229
- Median age
- 30.9
- Under 18
- 16.5%
- 65 and older
- 12.8%
- Households
- 71,768
- Foreign-born
- 6.8%
- Veterans
- 5%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Fort Collins ›
Education in Fort Collins
60.7% of adults 25 and older in Fort Collins have a bachelor's degree or higher (Colorado: 45.7%), and 26.1% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Fort Collins
- Unemployment rate
- 5.4%State: 4.6%
- Average commute
- 20 minState: 25 min
- Work from home
- 22%
- Drive alone
- 62.2%
- Public transit
- 1.3%
- Walk to work
- 4.1%
- Homes with broadband
- 92.2%
Fort Collins vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Collins | 170,229 | $85,070 | $577,900 | $1,690 |
| Timnath | 8,941 | $178,257 | $730,100 | $2,206 |
| Laporte | 1,771 | $87,313 | $452,600 | $1,354 |
| Loveland | 78,410 | $84,604 | $479,000 | $1,730 |
| Windsor | 37,914 | $127,028 | $604,000 | $1,793 |
| Wellington | 11,798 | $107,017 | $464,200 | $2,473 |
| Severance | 10,130 | $124,572 | $528,500 | $2,569 |
| Pierce | 1,201 | $61,250 | $330,400 | $1,225 |
| Ault | 2,425 | $95,049 | $359,100 | — |
More for people moving to Fort Collins
Fort Collins ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Fort Collins: FAQ
What is the median household income in Fort Collins, CO?
The median household income in Fort Collins is $85,070, 11% lower than the Colorado median of $95,470 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Fort Collins?
The median home value in Fort Collins is $577,900, compared with $539,400 in Colorado.
How much is rent in Fort Collins?
The median gross rent in Fort Collins is $1,690 per month, about 33.7% of household income.
Is Fort Collins, CO a good place to live?
Pluses: an average commute of 20 minutes. Minuses: median household income 11% lower than the Colorado median; home values 7% higher than the state median; unemployment of 5.4%; a poverty rate of 15.8%.
What is the median age in Fort Collins?
The median age in Fort Collins is 30.9 years (Colorado: 37.7).
How long is the commute in Fort Collins?
The average commute to work in Fort Collins is 20 minutes; 22% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Fort Collins?
The unemployment rate in Fort Collins is 5.4% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Fort Collins?
60.7% of adults in Fort Collins have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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