Livability Score

81
/100
i The AreaVibes Livability Score evaluates 9 different categories and creates an overall score out of 100. The higher the score, the better the area.

amenities A+

There are lots of amenities close to this location.
Coffee (60) A+
Everyday Joe's Coffee House
Coffee Shop
The Crooked Cup
Coffee Shop
Mugs Coffee Lounge
Coffee Shop
Harbinger Coffee
Coffee Shop
Starry Night Cafe
Coffee Shop
Lima Coffee Roasters
Coffee Shop
The Bean Cycle
Coffee Shop
Starbucks
Coffee Shop
Happy Lucky's Teahouse
Coffee Shop
Mugs Coffee Lounge
Coffee Shop
Algiers Hookah Bar
Coffee Shop
Alley Cat Cafe
Coffee Shop
Dazbog Coffee
Coffee Shop
Cafe Ardour
Coffee Shop
D.P. Dough
Coffee Shop
Insomnia Cookies
Coffee Shop
Dazbog Coffee
Coffee Shop
Ding Tea
Coffee Shop
The Human Bean
Coffee Shop
Rocky Mountain Bagel
Coffee Shop
Momo Lolo Coffee House
Coffee Shop
Starbucks
Coffee Shop
B's Coffee
Coffee Shop
Starbucks
Coffee Shop
Kavarado Station
Coffee Shop
Entertainment (28) A+
Avery House
Museum
Lincoln Center
Theatre Arts
Museum of Contemporary Art
Museum
Aggie Theater
Theatre Arts
Washington's Music Venue
Theatre Arts
Heritage Courtyard at Library Park
Museum
Fort Collins Museum of Discovery
Museum
Poudre River Gallery and Studios
Art Gallery
Smokestack Pottery
Art Gallery
The Farm at Lee Martinez Park
Museum
Chipper's Lanes
Bowling Alley
Debut Theatre
Theatre Arts
Allicar Museum
Museum
Avenir Museum
Museum
The Lyric Cinema
Cinema
Museo de las Tres Colonias
Museum
Fort Fun
Theme Park
Cinema Saver 6
Cinema
Cinemark Movie Bistro and XD
Cinema
Holiday Twin Drive-In
Cinema
Holiday Twin Drive-in Theatre
Cinema
Chipper's Lanes
Bowling Alley
AMC CLASSIC Fort Collins 10
Cinema
Midtown Arts Center
Theatre Arts
The "A"
Attraction
Food and Drink (216) A+
Aggie Discount Liquor
Alcohol
Choice City Wings
Bar
Steakout Saloon
Bar
The Trailhead
Bar
Walrus Ice Cream
Sweets
Choice City Butcher and Deli
Bar
Ace Gillett's Lounge
Bar
The Bar District
Bar
HuHot Mongolian Grill
Fast Food
Brothers Bar & Grill
Bar
Tap and Handle
Bar
Old Town Wine and Spirits
Alcohol
Tony's
Bar
The Crown Pub
Bar
The Whisk(e)y
Bar
Subway
Fast Food
Kilwins
Sweets
Rocket Fizz
Sweets
Hodi's Half Note
Bar
Town Pump
Bar
Moe's Southwest Grill
Fast Food
Backcountry Delicatessen
Deli
Mulberry Max Wine & Spirits
Alcohol
Lucky Joe's Sidewalk Saloon
Bar
Good Times
Fast Food
Fitness (45) A+
Om Ananda Yoga
Gym
Grit
Gym
Anytime Fitness
Gym
Club Pilates
Gym
FoCo Body
Gym
Northside Aztlan Community Center
Community Centre
Prodigy Gym
Gym
State of Fitness
Gym
Be Free Healing Center
Gym
McMahon Training Center
Gym
Snap Fitness
Gym
Crunch Fitness
Gym
Pump It Up
Gym
Miramont North
Gym
Anytime Fitness
Gym
Slimgenics
Gym
Alive by Raintree Athletic Club
Gym
Jazzercise
Gym
Shugyo Training Center
Gym
CrossFit DNR
Gym
Kerley's Fitness
Gym
Ascent Climbing Studio
Gym
Cyclebar
Gym
yogapod
Gym
Manic Training
Gym
Groceries (36) A+
Lucky
Grocery Store
Mary's Mountain Cookies
Bakery
Butter Cream
Bakery
The Little Bird Bake Shop
Bakery
Fort Collins Food Co-op
Grocery Store
Beaver's Market
Grocery Store
Waltzing Kangaroo
Bakery
Munchies Super Market
Grocery Store
Safeway
Grocery Store
Carniceria Las Delicas
Butcher
Carniceria Las Delicias
Butcher
Walmart Supercenter
Grocery Store
Whole Foods Market
Grocery Store
King Soopers
Grocery Store
Carnicería Delicias
Butcher
King Soopers
Grocery Store
King Soopers
Grocery Store
Turmeric Indian Grocery
Grocery Store
La Creperie & French Bakery
Bakery
Sprouts Farmers Market
Grocery Store
Safeway
Grocery Store
Shamrock Foodservice Warehouse
Grocery Store
Trader Joe's
Grocery Store
Native Hill Farm Stand
Grocery Store
Harvest Bread
Bakery
Parks (178) A+
Civic Center Park
Park
Washington Park
Park
Library Park
Park
Old Fort Collins Heritage Park
Park
Lee Martinez Park
Park
Fort Collins City Park
Park
Buckingham Park
Park
Freedom Square Park
Park
Legacy Park
Park
City Park
Park
CSU Trial Gardens
Park
Homestead Natural Area
Park
Eastside Park
Park
Soft Gold Park
Park
Sugar Beet Park
Park
Romero Park
Park
Avery Park
Park
Creekside Park
Park
Goose Hollow Natural Area
Park
Avery Park
Park
Spring Park
Park
Greenbriar Park
Park
Rolland Moore Park
Park
Rogers Park
Park
Woodwest Park
Park
Shops (322) A+
Dawson's Fine Jewelry
Fashion
Apricot Lane Boutique
Clothing
Vixen Lashes
Beauty
Loaf 'N Jug
Convenience Store
Brave New Wheel
Bicycle
Ace Hardware
Home Improvement
Garwood's Jewelers
Fashion
Pendleton
Clothing
Clothes Pony and Dandelion Toys
Toys
Ragstock
Clothing
White Balcony
Gift Shop
Sole Mates
Clothing
EsScentuals
Gift Shop
Lloyd's Barber Shop
Hairdresser
The Cupboard
Houseware
Wear It Again, Sam
Clothing
Christian Science Reading Room
Books
Europa Colour Salon and Spa
Hairdresser
The Mac Shack
Electronics
McCarty's Barber Shop
Hairdresser
Kansas City Kitty
Clothing
Alpine Arts-The Colorado Showcase
Gift Shop
Ten Thousand Villages
Interior Decoration
Matter Bookstore
Books
Sense of Place
Interior Decoration
See more Fort Collins amenity data

commute A+

Of all people who commute, 2.0% take public transportation in Fort Collins.
Public Transit Stops (473)
Stops & Stations A+
Olive & Meldrum
Bus Stop
Mountain & Howes
Transit Station
Meldrum & Lincoln Center
Bus Stop
Laporte & Sherwood
Bus Stop
Howes & Mountain
Bus Stop
Mulberry & Meldrum
Bus Stop
Laporte & Sherwood
Bus Stop
Meldrum & Mulberry
Bus Stop
Mason and Olive
Bus Stop
Olive Station
Bus Stop
LaPorte & Loomis
Bus Stop
Mason and Mountain
Bus Stop
Olive Station
Bus Stop
Mountain Station
Bus Stop
Mason and Olive
Bus Stop
Laporte & Howes
Bus Stop
Olive & Mason
Bus Stop
Mason and Mountain
Bus Stop
Mountain Station
Bus Stop
LaPorte & Loomis
Bus Stop
College & Oak
Bus Stop
Mulberry Station
Bus Stop
Mason and Mulberry
Bus Stop
Mulberry Station
Bus Stop
Mason and Mulberry
Bus Stop
Workers Taking Public Transit
2.0% F
See more Fort Collins commute data

cost of living D+

The cost of living in Fort Collins is 127/100 - which is 15% higher than Colorado.
Cost of Living
Goods & Services, Housing, etc. F
Tax Rates
Income & Sales Tax C-
See more Fort Collins cost of living data

crime C-

Fort Collins crime rates are 2,927 per 100k, which is 20% lower than Colorado
Property Crime
2,606 crimes per 100k F
Violent Crime
321 crimes per 100k C+
See more Fort Collins crime data

employment B+

The median income in Fort Collins is $70,528 - which is 13% higher than Colorado.
Med. Household Income
$70,528 B-
Unemployment Rate
4.2% D
See more Fort Collins employment data

health A+

There are many hospitals, police and fire stations.
Health & Safety (101)
Dentist, Doctor, Hospital, etc. A+
The Healing Gardens
Doctor
Fort Collins Police - Downtown
Police
City Drug
Pharmacy
Poudre Fire Authority
Fire Station
Foothills Family Dental
Dentist
Green Hall
Police
alpine Dental Health
Dentist
Poudre Fire Authority Station 1
Fire Station
Planned Parenthood
Clinic
Alpha Center
Doctor
South Shields Dental
Dentist
Campus West Connections
Police
Poudre Fire Authority Station 2
Fire Station
Salud Medical Center
Clinic
Walgreens
Pharmacy
Comfort Dental
Dentist
Poudre Fire Authority Station 3
Fire Station
Alpine Dental Health
Dentist
Poudre Valley Hospital
Hospital
Spring Creek Dental
Dentist
Spring Creek Medical Park
Doctor
Salud Pharmacy
Pharmacy
Salud Family Health Center
Doctor
Front Range Center for Brain & Spine Surgery
Doctor
Taft Hill Orthodontics
Dentist
Air Quality
Median Air Quality F
See more Fort Collins health & safety data

housing A

Fort Collins home prices are $398,800 - which is 51% higher than Colorado
Home Price
$398,800 A+
Home Appreciation Rate
28% A+
Home Affordability
5.7x (home price to income ratio) F
See more Fort Collins housing data

schools B+

The Fort Collins graduation rate is 94% - which is 8% higher than Colorado
School Test Scores
54% D
High School Grad. Rates
94% A+
Elementary Schools (50) D-
St Joseph Catholic School
Dunn Elementary School
Putnam Elementary School
Harris Bilingual Elementary School
Beebe Christian School
Cornerstone Christian School
Laurel Elementary School
Bennett Elementary School
Lesher Middle School
Polaris Expeditionary Learning School
Lincoln Middle School
Psd Global Academy
Psd Options School
Spring Creek School
Compass Community Collaborative School
Irish Elementary School
Ridgeview Classical Charter Schools
O'Dea Elementary School
Fort Collins Montessori School
Riffenburgh Elementary School
Bauder Elementary School
Rivendell School Of Northern Colorado
Blevins Middle School
Tavelli Elementary School
Beattie Elementary School
High Schools (14) F
Centennial High School
Cornerstone Christian School
Polaris Expeditionary Learning School
Psd Global Academy
Compass Community Collaborative School
Poudre High School
Ridgeview Classical Charter Schools
Poudre Community Academy
Heritage Christian Academy
Rocky Mountain High School
Liberty Common Charter School
See more Fort Collins education data

ratings D-

Fort Collins has an overall rating of 50% from 39 reviews.
User Reviews (3)
From AreaVibes F
User Surveys (36)
From AreaVibes A
See more Fort Collins user rating data
Amenities Commute Cost of Living Crime Employment Health & Safety Housing Schools User Ratings

Fort Collins, CO Area Guide

Photo of Fort Collins, CO
( 39 Ratings )

Living in Fort Collins, CO

Ranks better than 81% of areas Follow

Fort Collins Area Facts

  • Fort Collins has a Livability Score of 81/100, which is considered exceptional
  • Fort Collins crime rates are 20% lower than the Colorado average
  • Cost of living in Fort Collins is 15% higher than the Colorado average

What do the locals think about Fort Collins?

Based on 38 votes from AreaVibes users. Take the poll
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Fort Collins Reviews

Write a review about Fort Collins Tell people what you like or don't like about Fort Collins…
A horrible place to live 0.5 rating By Anonymous ( Mar 02, 2020) If I had a time machine, maybe things would be different. We've lived in Fort Collins for 5 years now. Everything there is to do here is done. Rent, home prices and the cost of living are skyrocketing. The small town community vibe has been smashed and tossed aside by corporate g ...Read More reed. Developers are creeping in and ruining what used to be a nice town. The cool unique local businesses are having to close down at a rapid rate and are being replaced with the crappy, generic chain restaurants that saturate the rest of the country. Traffic and parking have become a pain in the ass. Interstate 25 is a friggin' nightmare. All the things you would want to do are at least two hours away.

I would not recommend Fort Collins to anyone considering moving here. There are so many better cities in Colorado to live. South of Denver has much more to offer and more convenience. Read Less
This city has declined significantly in the past 5 years-we are moving 0.5 rating By Pea ( Aug 21, 2015) Rent rates went up 11% in the past year alone and have nearly doubled since we moved here 5 years ago. There have been so many news reports calling FC the best place to live-everyone is coming here. That combined with the legalization of marijuana, increasing out of state visit ...Read More ors, has made it a nightmare to go to any of our favorite places anymore-there are just too many people, no parking and everything is more expensive! This town has totally changed in the past few years!
We loved it when we first got here a bigger city but with CSU occupying most of downtown it still had a small town sort of feel if you weren't near campus, especially in the summer when the college students are gone. There has been so much new construction the small town feel is gone. There are many festivals and downtown activities, an event nearly every weekend in the summer, but the population increase and weed smoking tourist explosion has made attending any event much more trouble than it's worth. Good luck if you forgot to check which roads will be closed for events and you can't get to work or your business appointment on time. Parking is a nightmare, so they put in some new transit options but they are sometimes so full you can't ride! Customer Service is terrible most everywhere you go as it is staffed by spoiled rich CO teenagers, snobby rich CO hipsters or college students with no work experience. We no longer go out to eat anymore, after so many bad experiences. Restaurants don't pay for quality workers, because they can hire college students who will work for cheap wages and free food and beer. I made the same amount of money at some of my jobs here as I did in the previous state I lived in, however the cost of living was almost 50% less there!!!
At first we were impressed by the environmental awareness and green living, animal friendly parks and access to the foothills but the fast growth and attitudes of the people have ruined it. Fort Collins is now full of hipsters, not hippies! The difference-hipsters have a lot of money (inherited it) and are usually judgmental hypocrites. They talk a good game but are mostly faking it. The restaurants that say they serve organic, local food, are run by hipsters, are usually lying and overcharging just to make more profit (I worked in the industry). Businesses say they recycle and compost but most of the one's I've worked at, don't. If you stop at any stoplight when the temp is over 70 (most days from April to November) every single vehicle has their windows up and their air conditioning cranked, with bumper stickers that promote green living and saving the environment! Most people I've met never use public transportation, own 2 or more vehicles (even single people!) crank their home air conditioners 6 months/year and spend hundreds of dollars wasting water to make their grass pretty. It is also very very white. The only diversity I've seen is the international students who attend CSU. Most of the people we met when we first moved here have moved already, many to Denver as FC is becoming just as overrun and congested but at least the wages in Denver are much higher.
Every type of recreation costs money! Every beach. mountain or hiking area is part of a state park and therefore you must usually pay a fee, even just to drive around for a bit in the area! I would only recommend this town to rich college students and housing developers. I would not recommend this to families-I stopped taking my kids downtown (teenagers) at night because it's just not safe-too many bars, college students and out of staters causing trouble. Read Less
It's Fun and Sun in Ft. Collins, CO 4.5 rating By Anonymous ( Jun 03, 2010) I travel through the city of Fort Collins, CO pretty regularly, at least once a year and more often 2-3 times, and usually stop and visit my sister-in-law when I'm there. Fort Collins is a really beautiful city which surprisingly doesn't get as much snow in the winter as you migh ...Read More t think, and it's not too hot in the summer, either.

In Ft. Collins, I generally stay at the Plaza Inn which has a pool, sauna, jacuzzi, and meeting rooms. The rooms are spacious and clean but a little outdated. The first time I stayed there, the pool was indoor and outdoor, you could actually swim through a hole in the wall to get to the other side.

The city is easy to get around in. Roads are clearly marked and traffic is light. This really helps allow the quaint beauty of the town shine.

I love to shop at Square Shopping Center! No matter what you are looking for, they have it! The best breakfast burritos I ever ate were at the shopping plaza. Even had my breakfast outdoors in the sun, nothing's better than a bacon, egg, cheese and potato burrito and a cup of coffee before starting the next leg of my journey. Kudos to Fort Collins! Read Less
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It's Fun and Sun in Ft. Collins, CO 4.5 rating By Anonymous ( Jun 03, 2010) I travel through the city of Fort Collins, CO pretty regularly, at least once a year and more often 2-3 times, and usually stop and visit my sister-in-law when I'm there. Fort Collins is a really beautiful city which surprisingly doesn't get as much snow in the winter as you migh ...Read More t think, and it's not too hot in the summer, either.

In Ft. Collins, I generally stay at the Plaza Inn which has a pool, sauna, jacuzzi, and meeting rooms. The rooms are spacious and clean but a little outdated. The first time I stayed there, the pool was indoor and outdoor, you could actually swim through a hole in the wall to get to the other side.

The city is easy to get around in. Roads are clearly marked and traffic is light. This really helps allow the quaint beauty of the town shine.

I love to shop at Square Shopping Center! No matter what you are looking for, they have it! The best breakfast burritos I ever ate were at the shopping plaza. Even had my breakfast outdoors in the sun, nothing's better than a bacon, egg, cheese and potato burrito and a cup of coffee before starting the next leg of my journey. Kudos to Fort Collins! Read Less

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Compare Fort Collins, CO Livability

      vs

      Fort Collins, CO

      Those who are looking to enjoy all that Colorado has to offer without the hustle and bustle of Denver are moving north to Fort Collins at a rapid pace. Compared to Denver and other cities in the state, Fort Collins is an affordable alternative that offers many of the same amenities as larger cities in the states. Fort Collins is also a fun college town that is home to the Colorado State Rams. The population of the city is over 150,000 making it one of the most desirable and liveable small cities in the entire country.

      Folks who are just arriving in the city may quickly realize that it has a familiar look since the downtown area was actually inspired by Walt Disneyland. Craft beer lovers will also be right at home in Fort Collins since 70% of the state's beer is actually brewed in the city. Getting around town by bicycle is extremely popular and easy thanks to a vast network of interconnected trails that smart city planners have chosen to make a part of the city's development plans. If you are interested in public transit options to get you from one destination to the other, there is also RideTransfort bus service that runs along twenty or so routes on a daily basis.

      Fort Collins is known for its natural beauty, and several of the top attractions in the area highlight it for all to see. Day trips to Horsetooth Reservoir and Lory State Park are easy ways to get out and enjoy the 300 plus days of sun that Colorado is famous for. If you are looking to learn something with your young adventurers, you can visit the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery or the Horsetooth Mountain Visitors Center. Another great part about living in Fort Collins is that you are only an hour away from Denver and all of the attractions that are available in Denver's capital. If you want to take in a hockey game at the Pepsi Center or Major League Soccer at Mile High Field, it is very easy to do from the Fort Collins area.

      Otterbox, Hewlett Packard, and Anheuser-Busch are just a few of the large companies that offer employment to many citizens of Fort Collins. The university is also a major employer that offers competitive salaries and good benefits. Green and gold are the colors that you will see all over the city as the local community does a good job supporting the rams on the gridiron and the hardwood. If you and your family are looking to enjoy a great Colorado lifestyle and keep money in your pocket, Fort Collins is a smart choice that offers great housing and more.

      A+ Amenities

      Are there many local amenities in Fort Collins? Yes, there are lots of amenities close to this location.

      Parks

      Civic Center Park
      Washington Park
      Library Park
      Old Fort Collins Heritage Park
      Lee Martinez Park
      Fort Collins City Park
      Buckingham Park
      Freedom Square Park

      Entertainment

      Avery House
      Lincoln Center
      Museum of Contemporary Art
      Aggie Theater
      Washington's Music Venue
      Heritage Courtyard at Library Park
      Fort Collins Museum of Discovery
      Poudre River Gallery and Studios

      Food & Drink

      Aggie Discount Liquor
      Choice City Wings
      Steakout Saloon
      The Trailhead
      Walrus Ice Cream
      Choice City Butcher and Deli
      Ace Gillett's Lounge
      The Bar District

      A+ Commute

      Is public transit available in Fort Collins? Of all people who commute, 2.0% take public transportation in Fort Collins.
      Drive to Work
      70%

      7% lower than the US average

      Take Public Transit
      2%

      3% lower than the US average

      Walk to Work
      4%

      1% higher than the US average

      D+ Cost of Living

      What is the cost of living in Fort Collins? The cost of living in Fort Collins is 127/100 - which is 15% higher than Colorado.
      Fort Collins
      127

      27% more expensive than average

      Colorado
      111

      11% more expensive than average

      United States
      100

      National cost of living index

      C- Crime

      What is the crime rate in Fort Collins? Fort Collins crime rates are 2,927, which are 20% lower than Colorado
      Total Crime
      2,927 per 100k people

      26% higher than the US average

      Chance of being a victim
      1 in 35

      26% higher than the US average

      Year-over-year crime
      24%

      Year over year crime is up

      B+ Employment

      What is the median income in Fort Collins? The median income in Fort Collins is $70,528 which is 13% higher than Colorado.
      Median household income
      $70,52827% higher than the US average
      Income per capita
      $35,48919% higher than the US average
      Unemployment rate
      4%

      10% lower than the US average

      A+ Health & Safety

      Is Fort Collins a healthy and safe place to live? Yes, there are many hospitals, police and fire stations.

      Hospitals

      Hearing Rehab Center
      UC Health Harmony Campus
      UC Health Emergency Room
      Poudre Valley Hospital
      Banner Fort Collins Medical Center

      Pharmacies

      King Soopers Pharmacy
      Good Day Pharmacy
      Safeway
      CVS Pharmacy
      King Soopers Pharmacy
      Safeway
      King Soopers Pharmacy
      City Drug

      Doctors

      Urgent Care - Harmony Campus
      Poudre Valley Foot & Ankle Clinic
      Colorado Spine, Pain & Sports Medicine, PC
      Spring Creek Medical Park
      Salud Family Health Center
      The Healing Gardens
      Surgery Center of Fort Collins
      Plastic Surgical Associates of Ft. Collins

      A Housing

      What are Fort Collins home prices? Fort Collins home prices are $398,800 - which is 51% higher than Colorado
      Median home value
      $398,800116% higher than the US average
      Median rent price
      $1,37345% higher than the US average
      Home Ownership
      55%

      13% lower than the US average

      B+ Schools

      Does Fort Collins have good schools? The Fort Collins graduation rate is 94% - which is 8% higher than Colorado
      High school grad. rates
      94%

      13% higher than the US average

      School test scores
      54%

      12% higher than the US average

      Student teacher ratio
      17:1

      3% higher than the US average

      D- User Ratings

      Is Fort Collins a good place to live? Fort Collins has an overall rating of 50% from 39 reviews.
      Overall user rating
      50%

      39 total ratings

      User reviews rating
      37%

      3 total reviews

      User surveys rating
      82%

      36 total surveys

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