Cost of Living in Colorado Springs vs. Major U.S. Cities (2026 Comparison Guide)
If you’re considering a move to Colorado Springs, one of the first questions you’ll ask is simple: How does the cost of living compare to where I’m coming from?
Using data-driven comparisons from trusted cost-of-living tools (BestPlaces, Salary.com, Apartments.com, NerdWallet), this guide breaks down how Colorado Springs stacks up against major U.S. cities and common relocation origins. Categories include housing, groceries, utilities, transportation, healthcare, and overall affordability.
All comparisons are current as of 2026 where available and reflect averages rather than luxury or extreme budget lifestyles.
Why Colorado Springs Draws Cost-Conscious Movers
Colorado Springs sits in a rare middle ground:
Lower housing costs than coastal metros
More manageable expenses than many fast-growing Sun Belt cities
Access to outdoor recreation without the pricing premium of Denver
That balance is why people relocating from both high-cost coastal cities and mid-cost regional hubs often find Colorado Springs financially appealing — though not always cheaper in every category.
High-Cost Coastal Cities: Major Savings
Los Angeles, CA
Overall: ~46.6% lower in Colorado Springs
Housing is the clear differentiator. Colorado Springs home prices and rents are dramatically lower, while utilities and transportation costs remain relatively comparable. Groceries and healthcare are modestly cheaper in Colorado Springs, making day-to-day living far more manageable for former Angelenos.
San Francisco, CA
Overall: ~37.6% lower in Colorado Springs
Few comparisons are as striking. Housing costs in Colorado Springs are a fraction of San Francisco’s, and nearly every other category — from groceries to healthcare — trends lower. Even accounting for higher car dependence, overall expenses drop significantly.
Seattle, WA
Overall: Significantly lower in Colorado Springs
Housing alone is roughly 51.7% cheaper in Colorado Springs. Groceries, utilities, and healthcare also favor Colorado Springs, offsetting the lack of extensive public transit compared to Seattle.
New York City, NY
Overall: ~57.5% lower in Colorado Springs
This is one of the widest gaps. Rent, home prices, transportation, and even everyday expenses like groceries and healthcare are dramatically lower in Colorado Springs. For remote workers leaving NYC, the financial relief is immediate and substantial.
Midwest & Large Regional Cities: Mixed Results
Chicago, IL
Overall: Slightly lower in Colorado Springs
This comparison surprises many. While groceries and dining are often cheaper in Colorado Springs, housing can actually run higher depending on neighborhood and housing type. Utilities and healthcare tend to be similar, making overall costs close.
Dallas, TX
Overall: Similar to slightly higher in Colorado Springs
Housing is the biggest differentiator — Colorado Springs housing can be up to 58% more expensive than Dallas. However, healthcare and transportation costs often favor Colorado Springs, narrowing the gap.
Austin, TX
Overall: Near parity (Austin ~5% lower overall)
Austin’s housing costs have risen sharply, sometimes exceeding Colorado Springs. Groceries and utilities vary by household size and usage, while transportation costs depend heavily on commute patterns.
Southwest & Mountain West Comparisons
Phoenix, AZ
Overall: Slightly lower in Colorado Springs
Phoenix generally wins on housing (about 15.8% cheaper), but Colorado Springs can come out ahead on utilities and groceries. Climate-driven utility costs play a major role in this comparison.
Denver, CO
Overall: ~8–11% lower in Colorado Springs
One of the most relevant comparisons. Colorado Springs offers:
~20% lower housing costs
~19% lower healthcare expenses
Noticeably cheaper utilities
For many, this makes Colorado Springs a more affordable alternative while staying within Colorado.
Salt Lake City, UT
Overall: ~3–4% higher in Colorado Springs
Housing in Colorado Springs is often cheaper, but groceries and healthcare can be slightly more expensive, resulting in a modest overall difference.
Boise, ID
Overall: ~1.6–3.6% higher in Colorado Springs
Boise remains slightly more affordable overall. Colorado Springs tends to cost more in transportation and services, while utilities remain comparable.
Southeast Comparisons
Charlotte, NC
Overall: Near parity (Colorado Springs ~1% lower)
Colorado Springs has a notable advantage in utilities (about 15% cheaper) and healthcare, while Charlotte often has lower grocery prices. Lifestyle and climate preferences often tip the scale more than cost.
Key Takeaways: Is Colorado Springs Affordable?
Colorado Springs isn’t the cheapest city in the U.S. — but that’s not the goal. Its appeal lies in value.
Colorado Springs is especially cost-effective if you’re moving from:
California, Washington, or New York
Denver or other high-growth metro areas
You may see smaller savings (or near parity) if relocating from:
Texas cities
Boise, Salt Lake City, or parts of the Southeast
The biggest savings almost always come from housing and healthcare, while transportation and groceries vary by lifestyle.
Final Thoughts
Cost of living is personal. Family size, commuting habits, housing preferences, and healthcare needs all influence how affordable a city feels. What the data consistently shows is that Colorado Springs offers a strong balance of livability, access to nature, and financial sustainability — especially for those leaving high-cost metros.
If you’re comparing cities and trying to decide whether Colorado Springs makes sense financially, this data provides a realistic, category-by-category picture — not hype, not guesswork.
Primary Cost of Living Data Sources
BestPlaces.net
BestPlaces is widely used for granular cost-of-living category comparisons (housing, groceries, utilities, transportation, healthcare).
Main Comparison Tool
https://www.bestplaces.net/cost-of-living/
Used for comparisons with:
Los Angeles, CA
Seattle, WA
Chicago, IL
Dallas, TX
Phoenix, AZ
Apartments.com – Cost of Living Hub
Apartments.com provides housing-weighted cost-of-living comparisons, particularly strong for rental and housing-related data.
Cost of Living Comparison Tool
https://www.apartments.com/cost-of-living/
Used for comparisons with:
San Francisco, CA
Denver, CO
Charlotte, NC
Salary.com
Salary.com specializes in employer-grade compensation and cost-of-living indexes, often used for relocation and salary adjustment modeling.
Cost of Living Calculator
https://www.salary.com/research/cost-of-living-calculator
Used for comparisons with:
New York, NY
Salt Lake City, UT
Boise, ID
NerdWallet
NerdWallet offers interactive calculators that are especially useful for consumer-focused budgeting and city-to-city comparisons.
Cost of Living Calculator
https://www.nerdwallet.com/cost-of-living-calculator
Used for comparisons with:
Austin, TX
Optional Supporting / Cross-Check Resources (If You Want Extra Credibility)
These aren’t strictly required, but they strengthen authority if you want to expand later.
U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA)
Regional Price Parities (RPPs) — helpful for macro validation.
https://www.bea.gov/data/prices-inflation/regional-price-parities
Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER)
Original COLI data source behind many calculators.
https://www.coli.org/
| vOrigin City | Overall Cost Difference vs Colorado Springs | Primary Cost Advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | ~46.6% higher | Housing |
| San Francisco, CA | ~37.6% higher | Housing |
| Seattle, WA | Significantly higher | Housing & Utilities |
| New York, NY | ~57.5% higher | Housing & Transportation |
| Denver, CO | ~8–11% higher | Housing & Healthcare |
| City | Housing Cost Compared to Colorado Springs |
|---|---|
| Denver, CO | ~20% higher |
| Dallas, TX | ~58% lower |
| Phoenix, AZ | ~15.8% lower |
| Austin, TX | Similar or slightly higher |
| City | Utilities | Healthcare |
|---|---|---|
| Denver, CO | Higher than COS | ~19% higher |
| Charlotte, NC | ~15% higher | Higher than COS |
| Salt Lake City, UT | Similar | Slightly lower |
