Fort Collins, CO vs Waltham, MA
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.
Fort Collins
69.4
#1216 nationally
Waltham
66.7
#1517 nationally
Waltham leads in median household income ($113,443 vs $74,126). Fort Collins leads in cost of living index (114 vs 164). Waltham leads in walk score (57 vs 42).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Waltham, MA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 69.4 (#1216) | 66.7 (#1517) |
| Population | 174,851 | 64,477 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $565,732 | $831,292 |
| Median Household Income | $74,126 | $113,443 |
| Average Commute | 20.8 min | 24.6 min |
| Walk Score | 42 | 57 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-Low | 6.9 |
| School Rating | 7.6 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 114 | 164 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+17.6 | D+39.5 |
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 →
D
66.7 Score
Waltham, MA
Massachusetts community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$831,292
Population
64,477
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
57
Northeast
View Waltham, MA →