Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Colorado Springs, CO
VS
Kent, WA
🏆 Colorado Springs leads 17 of 23 categories
Colorado Springs
Colorado
17
wins
Cost of Living Index
97.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$79,026
Violent Crime Index
188⚠ High
Population
479,612 ✓ Larger
Kent
Washington
6
wins
Cost of Living Index
113.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$86,966 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
129⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
135,169
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Colorado Springs, CO
Pros
Homes cost $95k less ($383,000 vs $478,400)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.0 pts lower (5.6%)
Rent averages $278/mo less ($1,464 vs $1,742)
16% cheaper overall cost of living than Kent
Commutes run 8 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 41.1% hold a bachelor's or higher
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
Median income trails Kent by $7,940/yr
Snowy winters — about 55" of snow per year
Kent, WA
Pros
32% less violent crime than Colorado Springs
Households earn $7,940 more per year on average
Cooler summers — July highs near 78°F vs 87°F
Cons
Violent crime (489.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Pricier housing — median home is $478,400
Higher rents — median is $1,742/mo
Cost of living runs 16% higher than Colorado Springs
Key Differences at a Glance
Colorado Springs
Cost of Living
16% cheaper
COL index 97.4 vs 113.0 (100 = US avg)
Colorado Springs
Median Home Value
$95k less
$383,000 vs $478,400
Colorado Springs
Unemployment
2.0 pp lower
5.6% vs 7.6% unemployment
Colorado Springs
Summer Heat
8.2°F warmer
July avg high 86.5°F vs 78.3°F
Kent
Median Income
$7,940
$86,966 vs $79,026/yr
Kent
Violent Crime
32% lower
489.7 vs 715.6 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Kent, WA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 97.4 ✓ Cheaper | 113.0⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $383,000⚠ High ✓ Lower | $478,400⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,464⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,742⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $79,026 | $86,966 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 7.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.9 min ✓ Shorter | 30.5 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 13.8% ✓ Higher | 10.1% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 179⚠ High | 149⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 188⚠ High | 129⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 164⚠ High ✓ Safer | 180⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (99) ✓ Better | C+ (88) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 ✓ Smaller | 18.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 41.1% ✓ Higher | 27.9% |
| High School or Higher | 94.3% ✓ Higher | 87.1% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Colorado Springs School District No. 11 in the county of E | Kent School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 45.0°F | 48.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 86.5°F ✓ Warmer | 78.3°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 19.0" ✓ Drier | 44.7" |
| Annual Snowfall | 55.2" | 6.3" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 479,612 ✓ Larger | 135,169 |
| Median Age | 35.1 ✓ Older | 34.7 |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% ✓ Higher | 55.8% |
| Under 18 | 22.1% | 24.6% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 14.3% ✓ More | 10.8% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Colorado Springs's cost of living index is 97.4 vs Kent's 113.0 (US average = 100).
Colorado Springs is 16% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Colorado Springs leads 17 of 23 categories. Colorado Springs wins 17 and Kent wins 6. 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 Kent or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($383,000 vs $478,400 median home), income ($79,026 vs $86,966), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Colorado Springs, CO and Kent, WA are about 1,055 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.