Fort Collins, CO Real Estate: A Local Guide for Buyers and Sellers
What is it like to buy a home in Fort Collins, Colorado? Fort Collins is Northern Colorado’s largest city, with about 170,000 residents, Colorado State University, a historic Old Town and quick access to Horsetooth Reservoir and the foothills. In late October 2026, the average Fort Collins listing was around $680,000, but the range is wide: about 4 in 10 homes for sale were listed under $500,000, many of them condos and townhomes, while about 1 in 7 were listed over $1 million. Neighborhood, home age and school assignment drive price more than the city average does.
I’m Christopher Fry, an Associate Broker with REMAX Alliance. I’ve been licensed since 2014 and have helped clients buy and sell more than 170 homes across Northern Colorado, including Fort Collins. Here’s what I tell buyers and sellers who are considering Fort Collins.
Fort Collins Housing Market Snapshot (October 2026)
These figures come from active MLS listings on October 28, 2026, covering single-family homes, townhomes and condos with a Fort Collins address.
~$320
Average list price per sq ft
~1 in 9
Active listings that are new construction
~2,200
Average finished sq ft
| Price range | Share of active Fort Collins listings | What you typically find |
|---|
| Under $500,000 | About 4 in 10 | Condos, townhomes, older ranch homes and some new construction |
| $500,000 to $750,000 | About 1 in 3 | Most single-family homes, from 1970s ranches to newer two-story homes |
| $750,000 to $1 million | About 1 in 10 | Larger homes in established neighborhoods and premium new construction |
| Over $1 million | About 1 in 7 | Historic Old Town homes, foothills and acreage properties, and luxury new builds |
Source: active MLS listings shown on this site, October 28, 2026. Some homes are listed more than once, so figures are rounded. List prices are not sale prices. Market conditions change weekly; ask me for a current sold-price analysis for your neighborhood.
Living in Fort Collins
Fort Collins began as a U.S. Army post in 1864 and was incorporated as a town in 1883. Today it’s the seat of Larimer County, with about 169,800 residents in the 2020 Census. Colorado State University, the second-largest university in Colorado by enrollment, is the city’s largest employer, followed by UCHealth, Poudre School District, the City of Fort Collins and Larimer County, plus private employers such as Woodward and Broadcom.
Old Town is the city’s historic downtown, with restored buildings, restaurants, breweries and year-round events. To the west, Horsetooth Reservoir and Horsetooth Mountain Open Space offer boating, hiking and mountain biking. The Poudre River Trail and Spring Creek Trail connect neighborhoods across town by bike, and the MAX bus rapid transit line runs along the Mason Corridor from downtown to south of Harmony Road in about 15 minutes.
Fort Collins Neighborhoods at a Glance
Old Town and historic neighborhoods
Early 1900s homes on tree-lined streets in areas like the West Side, Old Town East and Loomis, within walking or biking distance of downtown and CSU. Many homes are smaller and older, and the best ones command premium prices.
Midtown and the College Avenue corridor
Mid-century ranches and split-levels, condos and newer infill near Foothills Mall, Jessup Farm and the MAX line. A good fit if you want central access to shopping, transit and both ends of town.
West side and the foothills
Established neighborhoods closer to Horsetooth Reservoir and the foothills, from 1960s and 1970s homes to larger properties with mountain views. Expect higher prices per square foot for views and trail access.
South Fort Collins and the Harmony corridor
Subdivisions built mostly from the 1980s through the 2000s, with larger lots, parks and golf course neighborhoods, plus shopping and dining along Harmony Road and access to I-25.
New construction communities
Builders are active in communities such as Waterfield, Country Club Reserve, Sonders and Timber Lark, with some new homes listed in the mid-$400,000s. Much of the city’s remaining growth is on its north and east edges. Read my new construction buyer guide before you visit a model home.
Condos and townhomes
Fort Collins has more condo and townhome options than most Northern Colorado towns, including complexes near CSU and Old Town lofts. Review HOA dues, reserves and rental rules carefully, since they vary widely.
Schools in Fort Collins
Most of Fort Collins is served by Poudre School District, which enrolls about 30,000 students and also serves Wellington, Timnath and parts of Loveland and Windsor. The district’s comprehensive high schools are Fort Collins High School, Fossil Ridge High School, Poudre High School and Rocky Mountain High School, and it also has middle-high and K-12 options plus several charter schools. Boundaries don’t always follow city limits, so always confirm the assigned schools for a specific address with the district.
Taxes, Utilities and HOAs
Fort Collins is entirely in Larimer County, so property taxes follow Larimer County mill levies, but the total still varies by neighborhood. Some newer communities are in metro districts that add to the tax bill, and many neighborhoods have HOAs with very different dues and rules. Many homes inside city limits get electricity and water from city-owned Fort Collins Utilities, while some areas are served by other water districts, which can affect monthly costs. I pull the actual tax record, HOA documents and utility providers for every home before you write an offer. Learn more in HOAs in Fort Collins before you buy and metro districts and HOAs in Northern Colorado.
Commute and Getting Around
| From Fort Collins to | Typical drive |
|---|
| Windsor | About 15 to 25 minutes |
| Loveland | About 20 to 25 minutes |
| Greeley | About 30 to 40 minutes |
| Downtown Denver | About 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes |
| Denver International Airport | About 1 hour |
Approximate drive times without heavy traffic; your time depends on which side of Fort Collins you live on. The main routes are I-25 on the east side and College Avenue (US 287) through the center of town. Inside the city, Transfort buses and the MAX line cover the main corridors.
What My Clients Say
“After attempting to sell our home for three months with another agent, Christopher successfully sold our home in less than one week! He presented a comprehensive marketing plan that included video, a dedicated website, virtual staging, open houses, agent tours, and phone calls to his extensive network of buyers.”
Chris Coley, sold in Fort Collins (2025) · Google reviewRead all client reviews »
Fort Collins Real Estate FAQ
How much does a home cost in Fort Collins, Colorado?
In late October 2026, active Fort Collins listings averaged about $680,000, or roughly $320 per square foot. About 4 in 10 listings were under $500,000, many of them condos and townhomes, and about 1 in 7 were over $1 million. Ask for a current sold-price analysis for the neighborhood you’re considering.
What school district serves Fort Collins?
Most of Fort Collins is in Poudre School District, whose comprehensive high schools are Fort Collins, Fossil Ridge, Poudre and Rocky Mountain. Always confirm the assigned schools for a specific address with the district.
Is Fort Collins more expensive than Windsor?
Per square foot, yes. Fort Collins listings averaged about $320 per square foot in October 2026, compared with about $270 in Windsor, because homes are often smaller and closer to CSU, Old Town and the foothills. Windsor tends to offer more square footage for the price. See my Windsor real estate guide to compare.
Is there new construction in Fort Collins?
Yes, though less than in surrounding towns. About 1 in 9 active Fort Collins listings in October 2026 was new construction, in communities such as Waterfield, Country Club Reserve, Sonders and Timber Lark. Bring your own agent on your first visit to a model home, because some builders have registration rules.
Who provides utilities in Fort Collins?
Many homes inside city limits get electricity and water from Fort Collins Utilities, which the city owns. Some neighborhoods are served by other water districts. I confirm the providers for each home so you can estimate monthly costs.
How far is Fort Collins from Denver and the airport?
Downtown Denver is about an hour to an hour and 15 minutes by car, and Denver International Airport is about an hour, depending on traffic and which side of town you start from.
More Fort Collins and Northern Colorado Resources
Thinking About Fort Collins?
Whether you’re buying your first condo, moving up or selling, I’ll help you compare neighborhoods, HOA and tax costs, and true monthly payments before you commit.
Talk With Christopher
Call or Text 970-218-5248
Christopher Fry, Associate Broker, REMAX Alliance, 6355 N Fairgrounds Ave, Suite 100, Windsor, CO 80550. Equal Housing Opportunity. Market figures are based on active listings on the date shown and are not a guarantee of value. City facts: City of Fort Collins and U.S. Census Bureau. Schools: Poudre School District. Page updated October 28, 2026.
