Arcata, CA vs Fort Collins, CO
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Arcata
65.5
#1626 nationally
Fort Collins
69.4
#1216 nationally
Fort Collins leads in median household income ($74,126 vs $43,444). Fort Collins leads in cost of living index (114 vs 133). Arcata leads in walk score (48 vs 42).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Arcata, CA | Fort Collins, CO |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 65.5 (#1626) | 69.4 (#1216) |
| Population | 19,012 | 174,851 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $480,134 | $565,732 |
| Median Household Income | $43,444 | $74,126 |
| Average Commute | 18.4 min | 20.8 min |
| Walk Score | 48 | 42 |
| Crime Level | 13.9 | Moderate-Low |
| School Rating | N/A | 7.6 |
| Cost of Living Index | 133 | 114 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+28.4 | D+17.6 |
D
65.5 Score
Arcata, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$480,134
Population
19,012
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
48
Pacific
View Arcata, CA →
D+
69.4 Score
Fort Collins, CO
College town with craft beer culture
Median Home
$565,732
Population
174,851
Crime
Moderate-Low
Schools
B+
West
View Fort Collins, CO →
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