Question 1

Is Colorado Springs or Denver cheaper to live in?

Accepted Answer

Colorado Springs, CO is cheaper. Estimated essentials for a single person run about $517/month less than in Denver, covering rent plus everyday costs. Typical rent is $1,735/mo in Colorado Springs versus $2,089/mo in Denver.

Question 2

What salary do you need in Colorado Springs vs Denver?

Accepted Answer

Living comfortably takes roughly $72,500/year before tax in Colorado Springs, CO and $84,000/year in Denver, CO — a difference of about $11,500. Both figures are after state and local income taxes are accounted for.

Question 3

Is Colorado Springs or Denver cheaper for a family?

Accepted Answer

Colorado Springs, the same answer as for a single person. A four-person household runs about $7,542/month in Colorado Springs and $8,304/month in Denver, with rent scaled to household size using each city's own bedroom spread.

Question 4

Should I move to Colorado Springs or Denver?

Accepted Answer

It depends on what you weight. Colorado Springs costs less month to month, but cost is one of six factors — jobs, safety, climate, housing and amenities all differ too. Compare them against your own income and priorities rather than a single ranking.

Metric	Colorado Springs59	Denver57
Est. monthly cost (single)	$3,954	$4,471
Est. monthly cost (household of 4)	$7,542	$8,304
Salary for comfort	$72,500/yr	$84,000/yr
Typical rent	$1,735	$2,089
Median home value	$420,700	$586,700
Median household income	$83,198	$91,681
Unemployment	3.7%	3.8%
Housing score	55	32
Jobs score	45	41
Safety score	32	35
Climate score	85	93
Amenities score	45	64
Population	483.1K	713.7K
Summer high / winter low	85° / 18°	92° / 20°

Colorado Springs, CO vs Denver, CO