Living in Fort Collins, CO
Fort Collins is the 155th-largest city in the US, home to about 172,000 people in 2025. Its population has been roughly flat since 2020. Prices across the metro area run close to the national average (101.1 on an index where the US is 100).
- Population, 2025
- 171,500+1% since 2020
- Median home value
- $577,9006.8 years of median income
- Median rent
- $1,690/morent plus utilities
- Household income
- $85,070median, per year
- Price level
- 101.1US average = 100
- January / July highs
- 45° / 87°lows 18° / 59°
- Average commute
- 20 min22% work from home
- State income tax
- 4.4%top rate, flat
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County: Larimer County
Time zone: Mountain Time (UTC-7, UTC-6 in summer)
Elevation: about 5,003 ft
Metro area: Fort Collins-Loveland, CO
Cost of living in Fort Collins
The median home in Fort Collins is worth $577,900 and the median household earns $85,070 a year, so a typical home costs about 6.8 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $1,690 a month, about 24% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the Fort Collins-Loveland, CO metro area at 101.1, with housing at 120.6 and goods at 96.1 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $75,800 here. Colorado taxes wages at a top rate of 4.4% (a flat rate). The average combined state and local sales tax in Colorado is 7.89%.
What would my salary be worth in Fort Collins?
Fort Collins weather
Average highs run from 45°F in January to 87°F in July, and January nights average 18°F. It gets 16 inches of rain and melted snow a year and 51 inches of snow. Nights drop below freezing about 150 times a year. The most comfortable months are May to June and August to September.
Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit Fort Collins
People and work
The median resident is 30.9 years old, and 61% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 52% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 20 minutes; 22% of workers work from home.
- Median age
- 30.939th youngest of 546
- Bachelor's or higher
- 61%adults 25+
- Homeowners
- 52%of households
- People per sq mile
- 2,99657.2 sq mi of land
- Take transit to work
- 1%4% walk, 4% bike
- Unemployment
- 5.4%2020-2024 average
- Poverty rate
- 15.8%of residents
- Typical home built
- 1992median year
Who moves to Fort Collins, and where people go
From farther away, newcomers most often come from Colorado Springs (El Paso County), Phoenix (Maricopa County) and Austin (Travis County). People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to Colorado Springs (El Paso County), Phoenix (Maricopa County) and San Diego (San Diego County). See the map and full lists
IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.
Natural hazards, home prices and air quality
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
FEMA rating for Larimer County, scored against every US county. Biggest risks: winter weather, lightning, tornado, wildfire.
Home prices
+0.2% in a year
Up 29% over five years. FHFA house price index for the Fort Collins-Loveland, CO area, 2026 Q2.
Air quality, 2025
51% good days
11 days unhealthy at least for sensitive groups. EPA daily air quality index for the Fort Collins, CO area (365 days measured).
FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025) combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.
Parks and sights near Fort Collins
The best-known parks, museums, zoos and landmarks within about 35 miles. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.
- Colorado State University-Fort Collins in Fort Collins
- University of Northern Colorado 24 miles
Places from Wikidata (CC0), linked to each one's official site or Wikipedia article. Check hours and fees before you go.
Airports near Fort Collins
| Airport | Distance | Passengers boarding in 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Cheyenne Regional Airport CYS | 42 mi | 27,602 |
| Denver International Airport DEN | 55 mi | 40,012,895 |
Federal Aviation Administration, calendar year 2024 passenger boardings (enplanements) at commercial service airports. Straight-line distance.
Colleges in and near Fort Collins
| College | Distance | Undergrads | Net price a year | Graduate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado State University-Fort Collins | in town | 25,538 | $22,247 | 68% |
| University of Northern Colorado | 24 mi | 5,598 | $18,711 | 49% |
US Department of Education College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Net price is the average yearly cost after grants for students who get federal aid. Graduate: share finishing within 150% of normal time.
Frost dates and fall color in Fort Collins
Half the years, the last spring night at 32°F comes before May 2, so plant tender crops after that date or wait a week or two to be safer. Fall color depends on the trees, but the US Department of Agriculture says the brightest leaves come with warm, sunny days and cool nights, and that frost ruins vivid color. Here, cool 36°F nights usually start around September 29 and the first frost comes around October 7.
NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for Fort Collins, CO, median (50%) dates. All frost dates for Fort Collins.
Wildfire smoke in Fort Collins
From 2021 through 2025, a smoke plume covered Fort Collins on about 83 days a year, including about 21 days of medium or heavy smoke. Smoke high overhead can turn sunsets red without reaching the ground, so check the air quality reading before you change plans.
NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, daily satellite plumes over the city center, 2021 to 2025. Smoke days for every city.
Home internet in Fort Collins
Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020-2024, table B28002, 71,768 households. Compare every city.
Public schools in Fort Collins
Downtown Fort Collins is in this district. Neighborhoods farther out may belong to a different one, so check the address with the district before you buy or rent.
| District | Grades | Students | Schools | Students per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poudre School District R-1 | Pre-K to 12 | 29,381 | 52 | 15.7 |
Other districts within 10 miles: Thompson School District R-2J (14,580 students), Windsor School District RE-4 (8,728 students).
National Center for Education Statistics, school district boundaries and characteristics, 2024-25 school year.
Fort Collins's twin cities
Cities at least 250 miles away with the closest match to Fort Collins's weather month by month and its costs (price level, home values and rent).
- Lehi, UT73% matchCompare
- Sandy, UT73% matchCompare
- Santa Fe, NM71% matchCompare
- West Jordan, UT70% matchCompare
Find a twin that is cheaper, warmer or cooler
Stargazing near Fort Collins
The nearest certified International Dark Sky Places:
Designations by DarkSky International as recorded in Wikidata (CC0). All dark sky places.
Ski resorts near Fort Collins
- Eldora Mountain Resort 52 miles
- Ski Idlewild 58 miles
- Winter Park Resort 60 miles
- Echo Mountain Park 66 miles
Straight-line distance. All ski resorts.
Pros and cons of living in Fort Collins
Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.
Pros
- Data Commutes are short: 20 minutes each way on average.
- Data A highly educated city: 61% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.
Cons
- Data Homes are expensive for local pay: the median home costs 6.8 years of median household income.
- Data Winters are snowy: about 51 inches a year.
Fort Collins report card from locals
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Cities near Fort Collins
| City | Distance | Population | Home value | Price level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loveland, CO | 13 mi | 81,387 | $479,000 | 101.1 | Compare |
| Greeley, CO | 23 mi | 115,073 | $402,500 | 100.2 | Compare |
| Longmont, CO | 29 mi | 100,109 | $572,800 | 105.2 | Compare |
| Boulder, CO | 40 mi | 105,689 | $1,039,500 | 105.2 | Compare |
| Cheyenne, WY | 41 mi | 66,507 | $333,700 | 96.5 | Compare |
| Broomfield, CO | 46 mi | 79,174 | $664,500 | 105.8 | Compare |
Straight-line distance between city centers.
Cities with a similar profile
Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.
Compare Fort Collins with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Fort Collins a good place to live?
It depends on what you need. The numbers show short commutes; the trade-offs are expensive homes relative to local incomes, heavy snow. Compare Fort Collins side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.
What is the population of Fort Collins?
The Census Bureau estimates Fort Collins had 171,500 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 169,780 in April 2020 (+1%).
How much do you need to earn to live in Fort Collins?
Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $75,800 in the Fort Collins area. The median household here earns $85,070.
When is the best time to visit Fort Collins?
By the 1991-2020 climate normals, May to June and August to September are the most comfortable months. July averages 87°F and January 45°F for daytime highs.
What county is Fort Collins in?
Fort Collins is in Larimer County, Colorado. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.
What time zone is Fort Collins in?
Fort Collins is on Mountain Time (UTC-7, or UTC-6 during daylight saving time from March to November).
What is the elevation of Fort Collins?
About 5,003 feet above sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city. At over a mile high, the air is thinner and the sun is stronger.
Does Colorado have a state income tax?
Yes. Colorado has a flat income tax with a top rate of 4.4% for 2026. Some cities add a local income tax, which is not included here.
Sources
Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of Fort Collins. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Fort Collins-Loveland, CO metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Fort Collins, CO station. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.