Colorado Springs wins overall by ~22% (COL index)
Cost of living: Colorado Springs vs Denver (2026)
A $71,500 salary in Colorado Springs buys roughly what $91,821 does in Denver (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
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Estimated annual swing
+$8,699/yr
Favoring Colorado Springs for this income & household (illustrative).
With the extra $725/mo, you could pay down a $15,000 card balance in ~21 months and still keep ~$87/mo for dining out.
Studio rent/mo
1BR rent/mo
2BR rent/mo
Median home price
Groceries index (100 = US avg)
Budget meal (1 person)
Mid-range dinner (2)
Monthly transit pass/mo
Gas price/gal
Car insurance/mo
Monthly utilities bundle/mo
Internet/mo
Median household income/yr
State income tax%
Sales tax (combined)%
Movie ticket
Gym membership/mo
Beer at restaurant
Overall COL index (100 = US avg)
Walk score / 100
| Category | Colorado Springs Colorado | Denver Colorado | Who wins | Your impact at $72K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $1,200Wins | $1,600 | Colorado wins +$400/mo | $4,800/yr saves in Colorado |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,500Wins | $2,000 | Colorado wins +$500/mo | $6,000/yr saves in Colorado |
| 2BR rent/mo | $2,000Wins | $2,700 | Colorado wins +$700/mo | $8,400/yr saves in Colorado |
| Median home price | $400KWins | $530K | Colorado wins +$130K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 98Better | 102 | Colorado wins +4 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $13Wins | $15 | Colorado wins +$2/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $55Wins | $65 | Colorado wins +$10/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $55Wins | $114 | Colorado wins +$59/mo | $708/yr saves in Colorado |
| Gas price/gal | $3.35 | $3.30Better | Denver wins −$0.05 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $145Better | $155 | Colorado wins +$10/mo | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $145 | $140Better | Denver wins −$5/mo | — |
| Internet/mo | $65Better | $65 | — | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $68K | $75KBetter | Denver wins +$7K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 4.4%Better | 4.4% | — | — |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 8.0%Better | 8.8% | Colorado wins +0.8 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $15.00Better | $16.00 | Colorado wins +$1.00 | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $40Wins | $50 | Colorado wins +$10/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $6.50Better | $7.00 | Colorado wins +$0.50 | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 95Wins | 122 | Colorado wins +27 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 30 | 60Wins | Denver wins +30 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Maximize everyday spend in your new city
Colorado Springs fits your move math — cash-back cards stack on groceries, gas, and dining you're already doing.
Home + auto bundle
New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in Colorado Springs.
High-yield savings
Park ~$6,000/yr rent savings at 4–5%+ APY
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
More ways to compare this move
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Frequently asked questions
Is Colorado Springs cheaper than Denver?
Yes. Colorado Springs is 22% cheaper than Denver based on overall cost of living indices (95 vs 122, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Colorado Springs vs Denver?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Colorado Springs is $1,500/month and in Denver is $2,000/month. Colorado Springs is cheaper by 25%.
How much do I need to earn in Denver to match a $75,000 salary in Colorado Springs?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $96,316/year in Denver to match a $75,000 salary in Colorado Springs. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Colorado Springs or Denver?
Denver has the lower state income tax rate at 4.4% vs 4.4%. The difference is 0.0 percentage points. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Colorado Springs to Denver?
It depends on your priorities. Colorado Springs offers lower overall costs, but both cities have different job markets, weather, and lifestyle trade-offs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
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