Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Colorado Springs, CO
VS
San Mateo, CA
🏆 San Mateo leads 12 of 23 categories
Colorado Springs
Colorado
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
97.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$79,026
Violent Crime Index
188⚠ High
Population
479,612 ✓ Larger
San Mateo
California
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
118.2⚠ High
Median Household Income
$149,152 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
64 ✓ Safer
Population
104,165
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Colorado Springs, CO
Pros
Homes cost $1126k less ($383,000 vs $1,508,900)
Rent averages $1507/mo less ($1,464 vs $2,971)
21% cheaper overall cost of living than San Mateo
Commutes run 6 min shorter each way
Smaller class sizes — 14.9:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails San Mateo by $70,126/yr
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%)
San Mateo, CA
Pros
Households earn $70,126 more per year on average
66% less violent crime than Colorado Springs
Violent crime is well below the national average (243.2 vs 380/100k)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.9 pts lower (4.7%)
More college-educated — 58.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 73°F vs 87°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $1,508,900
Higher rents — median is $2,971/mo
Cost of living runs 21% higher than Colorado Springs
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 118.2)
Key Differences at a Glance
Colorado Springs
Cost of Living
21% cheaper
COL index 97.4 vs 118.2 (100 = US avg)
Colorado Springs
Median Home Value
$1126k less
$383,000 vs $1,508,900
Colorado Springs
Summer Heat
13.9°F warmer
July avg high 86.5°F vs 72.6°F
San Mateo
Median Income
$70,126
$149,152 vs $79,026/yr
San Mateo
Violent Crime
66% lower
243.2 vs 715.6 per 100k
San Mateo
Unemployment
0.9 pp lower
4.7% vs 5.6% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | San Mateo, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 97.4 ✓ Cheaper | 118.2⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $383,000⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,508,900⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,464⚠ High ✓ Lower | $2,971⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $79,026 | $149,152 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6%⚠ High | 4.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.9 min ✓ Shorter | 28.5 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 13.8% | 19.9% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 179⚠ High | 74 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 188⚠ High | 64 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 164⚠ High | 90 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (99) | A- (113) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 ✓ Smaller | 21.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 41.1% | 58.2% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 94.3% ✓ Higher | 91.5% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Colorado Springs School District No. 11 in the county of E | San Mateo-Foster City |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 45.0°F | 58.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 86.5°F ✓ Warmer | 72.6°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 19.0" ✓ Drier | 19.3" |
| Annual Snowfall | 55.2" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 479,612 ✓ Larger | 104,165 |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 38.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% ✓ Higher | 51.6% |
| Under 18 | 22.1% ✓ More | 19.6% |
| Over 65 | 14.3% | 16.4% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Colorado Springs's cost of living index is 97.4 vs San Mateo's 118.2 (US average = 100).
Colorado Springs is 21% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, San Mateo leads 12 of 23 categories. Colorado Springs wins 11 and San Mateo 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 Colorado Springs to San Mateo or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($383,000 vs $1,508,900 median home), income ($79,026 vs $149,152), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Colorado Springs, CO and San Mateo, CA are about 956 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.