HEAD TO HEAD
Denver vs Fort Collins
Denver leads Fort Collins on 3 of 5 factors — but the right pick depends on your priorities.
Denver, CO
wins 3 of 5 factors
Fort Collins, CO
wins 2 of 5 factors
Match scores, side by side
| Factor | Denver | Fort Collins |
|---|---|---|
| Affordable to buy | 69 | 70 ◆ |
| Affordable to rent | 62 ◆ | 61 |
| Climate comfort | 45 | 50 ◆ |
| Plenty of sunshine | 67 ◆ | 59 |
| Big-city amenities | 96 ◆ | 63 |
By the numbers
| Figure | Denver | Fort Collins |
|---|---|---|
| Typical home value | $573K | $557K |
| Typical rent | $1,910/mo | $1,928/mo |
| Average temperature | 9.1°C | 10°C |
| Sunshine (solar energy) | 4.85 kWh/m²/day | 4.58 kWh/m²/day |
| Metro size rank (US) | #19 | #152 |
Home & rent Zillow, May 2026 · climate & sunshine NASA POWER climatology. Scores are normalised 0–100 across all metros; higher is better. A research aid, not advice.