Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Colorado Springs, CO
VS
San Bernardino, CA
🏆 Colorado Springs leads 16 of 23 categories
Colorado Springs
Colorado
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
97.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$79,026 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
188⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
479,612 ✓ Larger
San Bernardino
California
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
107.9⚠ High
Median Household Income
$61,323
Violent Crime Index
236⚠ High
Population
221,041
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Colorado Springs, CO
Pros
20% less violent crime than San Bernardino
Households earn $17,703 more per year on average
More college-educated — 41.1% hold a bachelor's or higher
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.0 pts lower (5.6%)
Commutes run 6 min shorter each way
11% cheaper overall cost of living than San Bernardino
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 rents — median is $1,464/mo
Pricier housing — median home is $383,000
San Bernardino, CA
Pros
Milder winters — January highs near 67°F vs 45°F
Rent averages $145/mo less ($1,319 vs $1,464)
Homes cost $36k less ($347,100 vs $383,000)
Cons
Violent crime (897.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Colorado Springs by $17,703/yr
Property crime (2897.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Cost of living runs 11% higher than Colorado Springs
Key Differences at a Glance
Colorado Springs
Cost of Living
11% cheaper
COL index 97.4 vs 107.9 (100 = US avg)
Colorado Springs
Median Income
$17,703
$79,026 vs $61,323/yr
Colorado Springs
Violent Crime
20% lower
715.6 vs 897.1 per 100k
Colorado Springs
Unemployment
2.0 pp lower
5.6% vs 7.6% unemployment
San Bernardino
Median Home Value
$36k less
$347,100 vs $383,000
San Bernardino
Summer Heat
8.9°F warmer
July avg high 95.4°F vs 86.5°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | San Bernardino, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 97.4 ✓ Cheaper | 107.9⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $383,000⚠ High | $347,100⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,464⚠ High | $1,319 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $79,026 ✓ Higher | $61,323 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 7.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.9 min ✓ Shorter | 28.5 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 13.8% ✓ Higher | 5.1% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 179⚠ High ✓ Safer | 197⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 188⚠ High ✓ Safer | 236⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 164⚠ High | 138⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (99) ✓ Better | C (81) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 ✓ Smaller | 20.5:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 41.1% ✓ Higher | 12.8% |
| High School or Higher | 94.3% ✓ Higher | 72.5% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Colorado Springs School District No. 11 in the county of E | San Bernardino City Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 45.0°F | 66.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 86.5°F | 95.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 19.0" ✓ Drier | 21.6" |
| Annual Snowfall | 55.2" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 479,612 ✓ Larger | 221,041 |
| Median Age | 35.1 ✓ Older | 31.2 |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% ✓ Higher | 48.9% |
| Under 18 | 22.1% | 27.9% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 14.3% ✓ More | 9.8% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Colorado Springs's cost of living index is 97.4 vs San Bernardino's 107.9 (US average = 100).
Colorado Springs is 10% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Colorado Springs leads 16 of 23 categories. Colorado Springs wins 16 and San Bernardino wins 7. 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 San Bernardino or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($383,000 vs $347,100 median home), income ($79,026 vs $61,323), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Colorado Springs, CO and San Bernardino, CA are about 768 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.