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Boulder vs Fort Collins: Full Comparison

Updated November 2026 · Cost of living, safety, and climate data

Quick Answer

Boulder is 16% more expensive than Fort Collins. Fort Collins is 6% safer. Boulder population: 105,689. Fort Collins population: 171,500.

Which city is better for you?

Cost of LivingFort Collins
SafetyFort Collins
HousingFort Collins

Based on cost of living indices, FBI crime data, and NOAA climate records.

Cost of Living: Boulder vs Fort Collins

Fort Collins is more affordable overall, with a cost of living index of 125 vs 145 (national average = 100). That's a difference of 20 index points.

CategoryBoulderFort Collins
Overall Index145125
Housing$4,183/moIndex: 235$3,204/moIndex: 180
Groceries$443/moIndex: 108$431/moIndex: 105
Transportation$368/moIndex: 105$368/moIndex: 105
Healthcare$336/moIndex: 105$333/moIndex: 104
Utilities$198/moIndex: 90$194/moIndex: 88

Index 100 = national average. Dollar amounts are estimated monthly costs. Sources: BEA Regional Price Parities, C2ER Cost of Living Index.

Safety: Boulder vs Fort Collins

Fort Collins is 6% safer overall, with a crime rate of 25 per 1,000 residents vs Boulder's 26.6. Fort Collins earns a C+ safety grade compared to Boulder's C+. Based on 2023 FBI data.

C+

Boulder

Colorado

Overall GradeC+
Violent CrimeC
Property CrimeC+
Crime Rate26.6/1K
TrendImproving
C+

Fort Collins

Colorado

Overall GradeC+
Violent CrimeC
Property CrimeC+
Crime Rate25/1K
TrendStable
MetricBoulderFort Collins
Overall Crime Rate26.6/1K25/1K
Violent Crime Rate466.7460.2
Property Crime Rate2195.72043.6
Murder Rate7.48.6
Assault Rate411.2287.2
Robbery Rate70.8104.2
Burglary Rate412.1232.5
Theft Rate1460.71535.4
Vehicle Theft Rate250.5259.1

Crime rates per 100,000 residents. 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data. Lower rates are better (safer).

Victim Odds

In Boulder, you have a 1 in 38 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 40 in Fort Collins.

Climate Comparison

Climate data is only available for Boulder. A full comparison requires both cities.

Boulder Climate Overview

Annual High65.1°F
Annual Low36.8°F
Annual Rain15.4"
Annual Snow46.5"
Comfortable Months5
Best MonthAugust
Worst MonthNovember
Monthly Temperature
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
FreezingColdComfortableWarm

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Boulder cheaper than Fort Collins?
Fort Collins is 16% more affordable than Boulder, with a cost of living index of 125 vs 145 (100 = national average). Housing is the biggest difference, at $4,183/mo in Boulder vs $3,204/mo in Fort Collins.
Is Boulder safer than Fort Collins?
Fort Collins is 6% safer overall, with a crime rate of 25 per 1,000 residents vs Boulder's 26.6. Fort Collins earns a C+ safety grade. Based on 2023 FBI data.
Should I move to Boulder or Fort Collins?
It depends on your priorities. Fort Collins is safer (C+ grade). Fort Collins is more affordable (index 125 vs 145). Boulder has a population of 105,689 and Fort Collins has 171,500. Consider job market, culture, and proximity to family alongside these data points.
How big is Boulder compared to Fort Collins?
Boulder has a population of 105,689 and Fort Collins has 171,500. Fort Collins is 62% larger by population.
Is housing cheaper in Boulder or Fort Collins?
Housing is cheaper in Fort Collins. Estimated monthly housing costs: Boulder $4,183/mo vs Fort Collins $3,204/mo. That's based on a housing index of 235 vs 180 (100 = national average of $1,780/mo).

Learn More About Each City

C+
Boulder Safety ReportFull crime breakdown and trends
C+
Fort Collins Safety ReportFull crime breakdown and trends
Salary CalculatorClimate Compare ToolSafety Comparison Tool

Safety data: 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report. Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities and C2ER Cost of Living Index. Climate: NOAA 30-year normals. Not a substitute for local guidance.

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