Skyline of Colorado Springs
Cost of Living: 105 480,000

Colorado Springs, CO, US

Front Range city at the foot of Pikes Peak with military bases and outdoor recreation.

Updated September 12, 2026

Overview

Colorado Springs is a city in CO with a population of 480,000. Front Range city at the foot of Pikes Peak with military bases and outdoor recreation. Housing costs are close to the national average. Gardening thrives here — the 5a growing zone supports Cool — many vegetables, some fruit trees. A large share of residents hold a bachelor’s degree or higher.

Last updated: September 12, 2026

Cost of Living 105

Above Average vs US Avg (100)

Housing Index 120

Above Average

Median Income $72,000

Household income

Unemployment 3.5%

Job market health

Colorado Springs vs US Average

Cost of Living
Colorado Springs: 105
US Avg: 100
Housing Index
Colorado Springs: 120
US Avg: 100
State Income Tax
Colorado Springs: 4.4%
US Avg: ~5%

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 4.4%
  • Sales Tax: 8.2%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: $72,000
  • Unemployment: 3.5%
  • Population: 480,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 243/year
  • Summer High: 85°F
  • Winter Low: 22°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 5a

Housing

  • Median Home: $420,000
  • 1BR Rent: $1500/mo

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Cost of Living

Colorado Springs's cost of living index is 105 (US average = 100).

CategoryColorado SpringsNational AverageDifference
Overall105100+5.0%
Housing120100+20.0%

Data source: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price$420,000
Median Rent (1BR)$1500/mo
Median Rent (2BR)$1,875/mo
Price per Sq Ft$280

Data source: Zillow Research, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

$
%
$90,000 down
%
%
$

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Colorado Springs:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity$105Based on ~900 kWh/month typical US household usage
Heating & Cooling$67Estimated based on local climate. Gas or electric
Cooling (AC)N/AEstimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Water$60Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)$55Broadband average
Garbage / Trash$30Private service
Total Utilities$317Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Remote Work Score

Colorado Springs scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
— 105
Rent
— $1500
Sunny Days
— 243
Tax
— 4.4%
Unemployment
— 3.5%
Climate
— 85°F / 22°F
Safety
— 5.8 homicides/100k
Population
— 480,000
Internet Speed
— 200 Mbps

Climate

Colorado Springs has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January42°F22°F2.5"
April70°F37°F2.8"
July85°F60°F1.5"
October65°F40°F2.2"
USDA Zone 5a

Cool — many vegetables, some fruit trees

Natural Hazards

Colorado Springs faces the following natural hazards:

Wildfire High Risk

Wildfire risk in surrounding forests.

Blizzard High Risk

Severe winter storms.

Drought High Risk

Frequent drought conditions.

Landslide High Risk

Rocky Mountain region with landslides.

Avalanche High Risk

Rocky Mountains with frequent avalanches.

Tornado Moderate Risk

Eastern Colorado tornado risk.

Hail Moderate Risk

Frequent severe hailstorms.

Earthquake Moderate Risk

Rocky Mountain region with seismic activity.

Flood Moderate Risk

Flash floods.

Sandstorm Moderate Risk

Dust storms.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 4.4%
  • Sales Tax: 8.2%
  • Property Tax: ~0.48% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 3.5%.

Schools & Education

73/100
School Quality Score
Better than 72% of US cities
?
180
Total Schools
6.6:1
Student:Teacher
88.8%
Free/Reduced Lunch

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

Universities & Higher Education

2
Universities
#1423
Top University Rank
Top-Ranked University National

Data source: Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) & World Universities Database

Demographics

The population of Colorado Springs is diverse. The figures below show the ethnic, educational, and religious composition of the local population.

Ethnicity

Asian
2.9%
Black or African American
5.4%
Hispanic or Latino
18.7%
Native American
0.2%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
0.2%
Other
0.5%
Two or more races
5.9%
White
66.2%

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
41.9%
High school graduate
19.2%
Less than high school
5.4%
Some college
33.6%

Religion

Buddhist
1.0%
Christian
60.0%
Hindu
1.0%
Jewish
1.0%
Muslim
1.0%
Other
2.0%
Unaffiliated
34.0%

Data source: US Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) (2023)

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Colorado Springs, CO, US?

The cost of living index in Colorado Springs is 105, which is Higher the US national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Colorado Springs?

The median home price in Colorado Springs is $420,000. The housing index is 120.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Colorado Springs is approximately $1500/mo.

Does Colorado Springs, CO have income tax?

Colorado Springs is in CO, which has an income tax rate of 4.4%.

What is the climate like in Colorado Springs?

Colorado Springs enjoys approximately 243 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 85°F, while winter lows can drop to around 22°F.

Relocation Guides

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026
  • Housing Data: Zillow Research, 2026
  • Income & Employment: US Census Bureau American Community Survey, 2024
  • Utilities U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Data last updated: September 13, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.