Fort Collins, CO vs Orange, CA
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
Orange
63.3
#1780 nationally
Fort Collins leads in cost of living index (114 vs 178). Orange leads in median household income ($109,335 vs $74,126). Fort Collins leads in average commute (20.8 min vs 26.5 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Fort Collins, CO | Orange, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 69.4 (#1216) | 63.3 (#1780) |
| Population | 174,851 | 138,337 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $565,732 | $1,136,729 |
| Median Household Income | $74,126 | $109,335 |
| Average Commute | 20.8 min | 26.5 min |
| Walk Score | 42 | 51 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-Low | 6.2 |
| School Rating | 7.6 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 114 | 178 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+17.6 | D+2.6 |
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
63.3 Score
Orange, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$1,136,729
Population
138,337
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
51
Pacific
View Orange, CA →