Colorado Springs CO vs Columbia SC — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026

Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)

Colorado Springs, CO

Colorado · Population: 483,099

  • Median HH Income$83,198
  • Median Home Price$451,202
  • Unemployment5.5%
  • Bachelor's+41.9%

Columbia, SC

South Carolina · Population: 138,019

  • Median HH Income$55,653
  • Median Home Price$229,993
  • Unemployment7.6%
  • Bachelor's+46.1%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Colorado Springs
483,099
Colorado Springs +
Columbia
138,019
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Colorado Springs
N/A
Columbia
N/A
Median Age
Colorado Springs
35.6
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Foreign Born
Colorado Springs
7.4%
Colorado Springs +
Columbia
5.1%
White
Colorado Springs
72.3%
Colorado Springs +
Columbia
49.9%
Black
Colorado Springs
5.8%
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Asian
Colorado Springs
3.0%
Colorado Springs +
Columbia
2.7%
Hispanic
Colorado Springs
18.7%
Colorado Springs +
Columbia
5.7%
Spanish at Home
Colorado Springs
N/A
Columbia
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Colorado Springs
$83,198
Colorado Springs +
Columbia
$55,653
Per Capita Income
Colorado Springs
$44,893
Colorado Springs +
Columbia
$38,087
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Colorado Springs
$76,653
Colorado Springs +
Columbia
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Colorado Springs
5.5%
Colorado Springs +
Columbia
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Colorado Springs
9.3%
Colorado Springs +
Columbia
23.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Colorado Springs
41.9%
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Colorado Springs
$451,202
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Homeownership Rate
Colorado Springs
61.3%
Colorado Springs +
Columbia
47.3%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
512
Columbia
398
Columbia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
3234
Columbia
1999
Columbia +

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
28.4%
Colorado Springs +
Columbia
34.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.0%
Colorado Springs +
Columbia
12.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Colorado Springs
18.0%
Colorado Springs +
Columbia
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.9%
Colorado Springs +
Columbia
13.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
16.5%
Colorado Springs +
Columbia
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
11.0%
Colorado Springs +
Columbia
13.0%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
49.0°F
Colorado Springs +
Columbia
66.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
16.5 in
Colorado Springs +
Columbia
46.3 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
6.2 µg/m³
Colorado Springs +
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Colorado Springs
75.0%
Columbia
75.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Colorado Springs
24.1 min
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +

Which City is Right for You?

Colorado Springs leads in median household income at $83,198, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $229,993. On public safety, Columbia is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Colorado Springs. Colorado Springs has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Colorado Springs has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Colorado Springs scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.

Compare More Cities

About Colorado Springs & Columbia