City Comparison
Fort Collins vs Dallas
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Fort Collins scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Fort Collins
Dallas
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Dallas is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
58% higher compared to Fort Collins.
Housing costs are a major driver: Fort Collins's average rent is
16% higher than Dallas's.
| Metric | Fort Collins | Dallas | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,632 | $1,412 | +16% |
| Groceries | $402 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $180 | $281 | -36% |
| Transport | $120 | $126 | -5% |
| Healthcare | $1,460 | $135 | +981% |
| Monthly Total | $3,794 | $2,404 | +58% |
| Cost Index | 100 | 101 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Dallas offers 2% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Dallas delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Fort Collins is estimated at
$65,280 vs $96,970 in Dallas.
| Metric | Fort Collins | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $59,672 | $60,900 |
| Salary Needed | $65,280 | $96,970 |
| Purchasing Power | 59,672 idx | 60,297 idx |
| Household Income | $85,070 | $70,518 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Fort Collins runs warmer on average — a 51.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Fort Collins comes out ahead with 291 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Fort Collins sees 19.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Fort Collins | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 84.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 18.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 17.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 19.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 291 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Fort Collins has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Dallas.
Dallas scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Dallas leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Fort Collins | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 37.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Walkability | 37.0/10 | 60.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 41.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Dallas is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Fort Collins.
From a growth perspective, Dallas is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Fort Collins has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Fort Collins | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 171,693 | 1,336,440 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.11% | 0.52% |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 33.4 |
| Unemployment | 3.70% | 4.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Fort Collins
Advantages
Fort Collins has a lower violent crime rate than the national average.
The city's total crime rate decreased by 18.8% from 2008 to 2022.
Fort Collins has a high percentage of residents with a Bachelor's degree or higher (60.7%).
The average commute time is relatively low at 19.5 minutes.
Fort Collins is very bikeable and has several highly walkable neighborhoods.
Drawbacks
The median sales price for single-family homes increased by 1.7% in December 2024.
The cost of purchasing a home in Fort Collins has nearly doubled in the past 8 years.
Fair Market Rent prices in Fort Collins are very high compared to the national average.
The average cost of assisted living in Fort Collins is higher than both the state and national averages.
The Fort Collins, CO area's rent-to-income ratio is higher than the average for mid-sized metros, indicating less affordability.
Dallas
Advantages
Violent crime in Dallas dropped by 12% in 2025, indicating an improving safety landscape.
The Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex is a leader in economic growth, ranking highly for job creation and business investment.
Dallas is recognized as a top city for dining out, offering affordable options for mid-range meals.
Texas has no state income tax, which can lead to higher take-home pay for residents.
The city boasts a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem, ranking 27th globally for startups in 2026.
Drawbacks
Property crime remains a significant challenge in Dallas, particularly in certain neighborhoods.
Utility costs in Dallas are higher than the national average, primarily due to electricity expenses.
Dallas experiences notable traffic congestion, with commuters spending considerable time in traffic.
Despite overall metro growth, the city of Dallas experienced a slight population decline in 2025.
While public transit exists, high car dependency is a reality for navigating the sprawling Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Fort Collins
#53Colorado, USA
62.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,632
Avg Salary
$59,672
Cost Index
100
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
37.0/10
Walkability
37.0/10
Sunny Days
291/yr
Avg Temp
51.30°F
Pop. Growth
0.11%
Unemployment
3.70%
Livability
74
Business
68
Dallas
#62Texas, USA
61.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,412
Avg Salary
$60,900
Cost Index
101
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
55.0/10
Walkability
60.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.52%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
80
Business
88
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