Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Colorado Springs, CO
VS
Denver, CO
🏆 Colorado Springs leads 13 of 23 categories
Colorado Springs
Colorado
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
97.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$79,026
Violent Crime Index
188⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
479,612
Denver
Colorado
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$85,853 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
261⚠ High
Population
710,800 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Colorado Springs, CO
Pros
Homes cost $157k less ($383,000 vs $540,400)
28% less violent crime than Denver
Rent averages $201/mo less ($1,464 vs $1,665)
8% cheaper overall cost of living than Denver
Cons
Violent crime (715.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3448.8/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (5.6% vs 4.7%)
Median income trails Denver by $6,827/yr
Denver, CO
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.9 pts lower (4.7%)
More college-educated — 54.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
Households earn $6,827 more per year on average
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $540,400
Violent crime (993.0/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher rents — median is $1,665/mo
Property crime (4761.6/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Colorado Springs
Cost of Living
8% cheaper
COL index 97.4 vs 105.5 (100 = US avg)
Colorado Springs
Violent Crime
28% lower
715.6 vs 993.0 per 100k
Colorado Springs
Median Home Value
$157k less
$383,000 vs $540,400
Denver
Median Income
$6,827
$85,853 vs $79,026/yr
Denver
Unemployment
0.9 pp lower
4.7% vs 5.6% unemployment
Denver
Summer Heat
3.7°F warmer
July avg high 90.2°F vs 86.5°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Denver, CO |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 97.4 ✓ Cheaper | 105.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $383,000⚠ High ✓ Lower | $540,400⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,464⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,665⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $79,026 | $85,853 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6%⚠ High | 4.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.9 min ✓ Shorter | 25.3 min |
| Work From Home % | 13.8% | 20.9% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 179⚠ High ✓ Safer | 247⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 188⚠ High ✓ Safer | 261⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 164⚠ High ✓ Safer | 227⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (99) | A- (110) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 ✓ Smaller | 15.1:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 41.1% | 54.2% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 94.3% ✓ Higher | 90.5% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Colorado Springs School District No. 11 in the county of E | School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 45.0°F | 46.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 86.5°F | 90.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 19.0" | 15.4" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 55.2" | 49.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 479,612 | 710,800 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 35.1 ✓ Older | 34.9 |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% ✓ Higher | 49.4% |
| Under 18 | 22.1% ✓ More | 18.7% |
| Over 65 | 14.3% ✓ More | 12.0% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Colorado Springs's cost of living index is 97.4 vs Denver's 105.5 (US average = 100).
Colorado Springs is 8% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Colorado Springs leads 13 of 23 categories. Colorado Springs wins 13 and Denver wins 10. 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 Colorado Springs to Denver or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($383,000 vs $540,400 median home), income ($79,026 vs $85,853), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Colorado Springs, CO and Denver, CO are about 62 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.