2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Fort Collins, CO vs West Des Moines, IA

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Highlights
Are people in West Des Moines older or younger than people in Fort Collins?
- The Median Age in West Des Moines is 6.1 years older than in Fort Collins.

Are housing costs cheaper in West Des Moines or Fort Collins?
- West Des Moines housing costs are 48.2% less expensive than Fort Collins housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, West Des Moines or Fort Collins?
- The average commute for residents of West Des Moines is 2.5 minutes shorter than it is for residents of Fort Collins.

Things to do in Fort Collins?
Fort Collins, Colorado is a vibrant city located in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Home to many outdoor attractions such as Horsetooth Reservoir and Lory State Park, visitors can explore nature at its finest when visiting Fort Collins. There are also plenty of cultural attractions including museums and galleries. For entertainment, visitors can explore boutique shops and restaurants along with live music clubs and movie theaters. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an exciting night out, Fort Collins has something for everyone!

Things to do in West Des Moines?
West Des Moines, Iowa is a vibrant city located in the greater Des Moines area. This lively town offers an array of exciting attractions for visitors to explore such as the beautiful Living History Farms or the thrilling Adventureland Amusement Park. Residents here also enjoy plenty of outdoor activities at Raccoon River or Water Works Park. With its excellent school systems, thriving businesses, and wide range of recreational activities, it's no wonder why so many people choose to make West Des Moines their home.

 Fort Collins, COWest Des Moines, IAUnited States
 Population  Unlock67,640329,725,481
 Median Income$72,932  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock36.138.4
 Avg. Home Price$544,900  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock3.3%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time19.62  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Fort Collins    71 Reviews

Over 3 years ago

Moved my family here a few months ago and have been so disappointed. Housing is dismal - you get low quality and almost nothing for what you’re paying. The house we’re  More

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Over 4 years ago

There is a high cost of living in all of Colorado, and there is a train that runs through the town a honks its horn for about 5 min straight which is very annoying  More

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My family established our home in Larimer County in 1973; this area, Fort Collins, was a quaint, western-ish town we loved to visit. So I’ve visited FoCo multiple times  More

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Reviews for West Des Moines    4 Reviews

Over 16 years ago

I just moved here from out-of-state a few months ago and have been pleasantly surprised by the broad range of activities and amenities available in this medium sized IA  More

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Over 16 years ago

Am contemplating a move to WDM from the East Coast (NYC). Might there be anyone out there that may have experienced this and could offer guidance or comment. Thanks.   More

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We just moved to West Des Moines and we love it here! We moved here three months ago and every weekend we have been able to do something different and fun. There is  More

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