Living in Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado Springs is the 40th-largest city in the US, home to about 495,000 people in 2025. It has grown 3.1% since 2020. Prices across the metro area run close to the national average (100.7 on an index where the US is 100).
- Population, 2025
- 494,743+3.1% since 2020
- Median home value
- $452,6005.3 years of median income
- Median rent
- $1,648/morent plus utilities
- Household income
- $84,818median, per year
- Price level
- 100.7US average = 100
- January / July highs
- 45° / 87°lows 19° / 58°
- Average commute
- 23 min18% work from home
- State income tax
- 4.4%top rate, flat
Been to Colorado Springs?
Added to your city passport. See things to do
Added to the wishlist on your city passport.
County: El Paso County
Time zone: Mountain Time (UTC-7, UTC-6 in summer)
Elevation: about 6,010 ft
Metro area: Colorado Springs, CO
Cost of living in Colorado Springs
The median home in Colorado Springs is worth $452,600 and the median household earns $84,818 a year, so a typical home costs about 5.3 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $1,648 a month, about 23% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the Colorado Springs, CO metro area at 100.7, with housing at 116.2 and goods at 96.1 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $75,500 here. Colorado taxes wages at a top rate of 4.4% (a flat rate). The average combined state and local sales tax in Colorado is 7.89%.
What would my salary be worth in Colorado Springs?
Colorado Springs weather
Average highs run from 45°F in January to 86°F in July, and January nights average 18°F. It gets 16 inches of rain and melted snow a year and 32 inches of snow. Nights drop below freezing about 160 times a year. The most comfortable months are May to June and August to September.
Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit Colorado Springs
People and work
The median resident is 35.7 years old, and 43% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 61% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 23 minutes; 18% of workers work from home.
- Median age
- 35.7224th youngest of 546
- Bachelor's or higher
- 43%adults 25+
- Homeowners
- 61%of households
- People per sq mile
- 2,448202.1 sq mi of land
- Take transit to work
- 1%2% walk, 0.5% bike
- Unemployment
- 5.6%2020-2024 average
- Poverty rate
- 9%of residents
- Typical home built
- 1986median year
Who moves to Colorado Springs, and where people go
From farther away, newcomers most often come from Phoenix (Maricopa County), San Antonio (Bexar County) and Honolulu (Honolulu County). People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to Phoenix (Maricopa County), San Antonio (Bexar County) and El Paso (El Paso County). See the map and full lists
IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.
Natural hazards, home prices and air quality
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
FEMA rating for El Paso County, scored against every US county. Biggest risks: winter weather, lightning, tornado, wildfire.
Home prices
+0.1% in a year
Up 23% over five years. FHFA house price index for the Colorado Springs, CO area, 2026 Q2.
Air quality, 2025
68% good days
0 days unhealthy at least for sensitive groups. EPA daily air quality index for the Colorado Springs, CO area (365 days measured).
FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025) combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.
Parks and sights near Colorado Springs
The best-known parks, museums, zoos and landmarks within about 35 miles. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.
- United States Air Force Academy 13 miles
- Colorado College in Colorado Springs
- Pikes Peak State College 5 miles
Places from Wikidata (CC0), linked to each one's official site or Wikipedia article. Check hours and fees before you go.
Airports near Colorado Springs
| Airport | Distance | Passengers boarding in 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Springs Airport COS | 7 mi | 1,248,261 |
| Denver International Airport DEN | 71 mi | 40,012,895 |
Federal Aviation Administration, calendar year 2024 passenger boardings (enplanements) at commercial service airports. Straight-line distance.
Colleges in and near Colorado Springs
| College | Distance | Undergrads | Net price a year | Graduate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs | 5 mi | 28,086 | $17,860 | 19% |
| Pikes Peak State College | 5 mi | 9,595 | $4,709 | n/a |
| University of Colorado Colorado Springs | 4 mi | 8,697 | $14,954 | 46% |
| United States Air Force Academy | 13 mi | 4,114 | n/a | 84% |
| Colorado College | in town | 2,014 | $27,951 | 86% |
US Department of Education College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Net price is the average yearly cost after grants for students who get federal aid. Graduate: share finishing within 150% of normal time.
Frost dates and fall color in Colorado Springs
Half the years, the last spring night at 32°F comes before May 3, so plant tender crops after that date or wait a week or two to be safer. Fall color depends on the trees, but the US Department of Agriculture says the brightest leaves come with warm, sunny days and cool nights, and that frost ruins vivid color. Here, cool 36°F nights usually start around October 1 and the first frost comes around October 8.
NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for Colorado Springs Municipal Airport, CO, median (50%) dates. All frost dates for Colorado Springs.
Wildfire smoke in Colorado Springs
From 2021 through 2025, a smoke plume covered Colorado Springs on about 76 days a year, including about 16 days of medium or heavy smoke. Smoke high overhead can turn sunsets red without reaching the ground, so check the air quality reading before you change plans.
NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, daily satellite plumes over the city center, 2021 to 2025. Smoke days for every city.
Home internet in Colorado Springs
Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020-2024, table B28002, 202,515 households. Compare every city.
Public schools in Colorado Springs
Downtown Colorado Springs is in this district. Neighborhoods farther out may belong to a different one, so check the address with the district before you buy or rent.
| District | Grades | Students | Schools | Students per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado Springs School District 11 | Pre-K to 12 | 22,227 | 59 | 14.9 |
Other districts within 10 miles: School District 49 (25,689 students), Academy School District 20 (25,607 students), Harrison School District 2 (11,938 students), Widefield School District 3 (9,290 students), Fountain School District 8 (7,955 students), Cheyenne Mountain School District 12 (3,745 students).
National Center for Education Statistics, school district boundaries and characteristics, 2024-25 school year.
Colorado Springs's twin cities
Cities at least 250 miles away with the closest match to Colorado Springs's weather month by month and its costs (price level, home values and rent).
- Layton, UT73% matchCompare
- Sparks, NV70% matchCompare
- Lehi, UT70% matchCompare
- Orem, UT68% matchCompare
Find a twin that is cheaper, warmer or cooler
Stargazing near Colorado Springs
The nearest certified International Dark Sky Places:
Designations by DarkSky International as recorded in Wikidata (CC0). All dark sky places.
Ski resorts near Colorado Springs
- Echo Mountain Park 70 miles
- Geneva Basin Ski Area 70 miles
- Arapahoe Basin 78 miles
- Breckenridge Ski Resort 80 miles
Straight-line distance. All ski resorts.
Pros and cons of living in Colorado Springs
Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.
Pros
- Nothing stands out in the data. Locals, what do you love about Colorado Springs?
Cons
- Nothing stands out in the data. Locals, what should newcomers know?
Colorado Springs report card from locals
0 of 5 reports so far. We show the Colorado Springs report card once 5 residents have rated it, so one opinion never stands in for a whole city. Live here? Add yours.
Rate Colorado Springs (2 minutes)
Lived here once? Map every city you have lived in and see how your homes compare.
Ask a local about Colorado Springs
No questions yet. Thinking about a move? Ask about neighborhoods, schools, winters, traffic or anything else, and people who live in Colorado Springs can answer.
Colorado Springs through locals' eyes
No resident photos yet. Share the view from your street, your favorite park or the city on a good day.
Share a photo
Contributions are read by a person before they appear. We remove ads, links, personal attacks and anything about private people. See the most helpful locals.
Cities near Colorado Springs
| City | Distance | Population | Home value | Price level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Castle Rock, CO | 37 mi | 83,815 | $652,900 | 105.8 | Compare |
| Pueblo, CO | 43 mi | 110,404 | $247,200 | 91.8 | Compare |
| Highlands Ranch, CO | 50 mi | 102,257 | $712,700 | 105.8 | Compare |
| Centennial, CO | 52 mi | 108,658 | $658,100 | 105.8 | Compare |
| Lakewood, CO | 62 mi | 156,927 | $574,400 | 105.8 | Compare |
| Aurora, CO | 62 mi | 410,053 | $469,100 | 105.8 | Compare |
Straight-line distance between city centers.
Cities with a similar profile
Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.
Compare Colorado Springs with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Colorado Springs a good place to live?
It depends on what you need. The numbers show short commutes. Compare Colorado Springs side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.
What is the population of Colorado Springs?
The Census Bureau estimates Colorado Springs had 494,743 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 479,963 in April 2020 (+3.1%).
How much do you need to earn to live in Colorado Springs?
Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $75,500 in the Colorado Springs area. The median household here earns $84,818.
When is the best time to visit Colorado Springs?
By the 1991-2020 climate normals, May to June and August to September are the most comfortable months. July averages 86°F and January 45°F for daytime highs.
What county is Colorado Springs in?
Colorado Springs is in El Paso County, Colorado. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.
What time zone is Colorado Springs in?
Colorado Springs is on Mountain Time (UTC-7, or UTC-6 during daylight saving time from March to November).
What is the elevation of Colorado Springs?
About 6,010 feet above sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city. At over a mile high, the air is thinner and the sun is stronger.
Does Colorado have a state income tax?
Yes. Colorado has a flat income tax with a top rate of 4.4% for 2026. Some cities add a local income tax, which is not included here.
Sources
Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of Colorado Springs. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Colorado Springs, CO metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Colorado Springs Municipal Airport, CO station. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.