Question 1

Is Colorado Springs or Fresno cheaper to live in?

Accepted Answer

Colorado Springs, CO is cheaper. Estimated essentials for a single person run about $1,088/month less than in Fresno, covering rent plus everyday costs. Typical rent is $1,735/mo in Colorado Springs versus $1,664/mo in Fresno.

Question 2

What salary do you need in Colorado Springs vs Fresno?

Accepted Answer

Living comfortably takes roughly $72,500/year before tax in Colorado Springs, CO and $98,500/year in Fresno, CA — a difference of about $26,000. Both figures are after state and local income taxes are accounted for.

Question 3

Is Colorado Springs or Fresno 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 $9,806/month in Fresno, with rent scaled to household size using each city's own bedroom spread.

Question 4

Should I move to Colorado Springs or Fresno?

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	Fresno55
Est. monthly cost (single)	$3,954	$5,042
Est. monthly cost (household of 4)	$7,542	$9,806
Salary for comfort	$72,500/yr	$98,500/yr
Typical rent	$1,735	$1,664
Median home value	$420,700	$348,500
Median household income	$83,198	$66,804
Unemployment	3.7%	5.5%
Housing score	55	39
Jobs score	45	35
Safety score	32	68
Climate score	85	88
Amenities score	45	49
Population	483.1K	543.6K
Summer high / winter low	85° / 18°	98° / 38°

Colorado Springs, CO vs Fresno, CA