Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Chicago, IL
VS
Colorado Springs, CO
🏆 Colorado Springs leads 12 of 23 categories
Chicago
Illinois
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$71,673
Violent Crime Index
142⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
2,721,914 ✓ Larger
Colorado Springs
Colorado
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
97.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$79,026 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
188⚠ High
Population
479,612
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Chicago, IL
Pros
25% less violent crime than Colorado Springs
Homes cost $79k less ($304,500 vs $383,000)
Rent averages $150/mo less ($1,314 vs $1,464)
Cooler summers — July highs near 81°F vs 87°F
Cons
Violent crime (539.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3472.4/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (8.2% vs 5.6%)
Median income trails Colorado Springs by $7,353/yr
Colorado Springs, CO
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.6 pts lower (5.6%)
Commutes run 11 min shorter each way
Households earn $7,353 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 45°F vs 32°F
5% cheaper overall cost of living than Chicago
Cons
Violent crime (715.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Pricier housing — median home is $383,000
Property crime (3448.8/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher rents — median is $1,464/mo
Key Differences at a Glance
Chicago
Violent Crime
25% lower
539.8 vs 715.6 per 100k
Chicago
Median Home Value
$79k less
$304,500 vs $383,000
Colorado Springs
Cost of Living
5% cheaper
COL index 97.4 vs 102.6 (100 = US avg)
Colorado Springs
Median Income
$7,353
$79,026 vs $71,673/yr
Colorado Springs
Unemployment
2.6 pp lower
5.6% vs 8.2% unemployment
Colorado Springs
Summer Heat
5.5°F warmer
July avg high 86.5°F vs 81.0°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Colorado Springs, CO |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.6⚠ High | 97.4 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $304,500 ✓ Lower | $383,000⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,314 ✓ Lower | $1,464⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $71,673 | $79,026 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2%⚠ High | 5.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 34.1 min⚠ High | 22.9 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 15.6% ✓ Higher | 13.8% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 151⚠ High ✓ Safer | 179⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 142⚠ High ✓ Safer | 188⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 165⚠ High | 164⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (118) ✓ Better | B (99) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.8:1 ✓ Smaller | 14.9:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 42.4% ✓ Higher | 41.1% |
| High School or Higher | 86.6% | 94.3% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 | Colorado Springs School District No. 11 in the county of E |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 31.9°F | 45.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 81.0°F | 86.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 34.4" | 19.0" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 38.8" ✓ Less | 55.2" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 2,721,914 ✓ Larger | 479,612 |
| Median Age | 35.3 ✓ Older | 35.1 |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.6% | 61.1% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 20.0% | 22.1% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.3% | 14.3% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Chicago's cost of living index is 102.6 vs Colorado Springs's 97.4 (US average = 100).
Colorado Springs is 5% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Colorado Springs leads 12 of 23 categories. Chicago wins 11 and Colorado Springs wins 12. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Chicago to Colorado Springs or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($304,500 vs $383,000 median home), income ($71,673 vs $79,026), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Chicago, IL and Colorado Springs, CO are about 921 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.