Colorado Springs CO vs Denver CO — 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%
Denver, CO
Colorado · Population: 713,734
- Median HH Income$91,681
- Median Home Price$541,899
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+55.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Colorado Springs
483,099
Denver
713,734
Denver +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Colorado Springs
N/A
Denver
N/A
Median Age
Colorado Springs
35.6
Denver
35.2
Denver +
Foreign Born
Colorado Springs
7.4%
Denver
13.9%
Denver +
White
Colorado Springs
72.3%
Colorado Springs +
Denver
62.9%
Black
Colorado Springs
5.8%
Denver
8.8%
Denver +
Asian
Colorado Springs
3.0%
Denver
3.6%
Denver +
Hispanic
Colorado Springs
18.7%
Denver
27.9%
Denver +
Spanish at Home
Colorado Springs
N/A
Denver
N/A
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 483,099 | 713,734 | Denver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 35.2 | Denver + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 13.9% | Denver + |
| White | 72.3% | 62.9% | Colorado Springs + |
| Black | 5.8% | 8.8% | Denver + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 3.6% | Denver + |
| Hispanic | 18.7% | 27.9% | Denver + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Colorado Springs
$83,198
Denver
$91,681
Denver +
Per Capita Income
Colorado Springs
$44,893
Denver
$61,202
Denver +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Colorado Springs
$76,653
Denver
$76,653
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Colorado Springs
5.5%
Denver
4.6%
Denver +
Poverty Rate
Colorado Springs
9.3%
Colorado Springs +
Denver
11.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Colorado Springs
41.9%
Denver
55.6%
Denver +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,198 | $91,681 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,893 | $61,202 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $76,653 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.6% | Denver + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 11.2% | Colorado Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 55.6% | Denver + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Colorado Springs
$451,202
Colorado Springs +
Denver
$541,899
Homeownership Rate
Colorado Springs
61.3%
Colorado Springs +
Denver
49.1%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $451,202 | $541,899 | Colorado Springs + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.3% | 49.1% | Colorado Springs + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
512
Denver
512
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
3234
Denver
3234
Tie
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 512 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 3234 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
28.4%
Denver
21.6%
Denver +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.0%
Denver
7.1%
Denver +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Colorado Springs
18.0%
Denver
15.5%
Denver +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.9%
Colorado Springs +
Denver
13.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
16.5%
Colorado Springs +
Denver
25.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
11.0%
Denver
10.2%
Denver +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.4% | 21.6% | Denver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 7.1% | Denver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 15.5% | Denver + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 13.3% | Colorado Springs + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 25.9% | Colorado Springs + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 10.2% | Denver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
49.0°F
Denver
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
16.5 in
Colorado Springs +
Denver
17.2 in
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.5 in | 17.2 in | Colorado Springs + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
6.2 µg/m³
Denver
6.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Colorado Springs
75.0%
Denver
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Colorado Springs
24.1 min
Colorado Springs +
Denver
27.4 min
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 27.4 min | Colorado Springs + |
Which City is Right for You?
Denver leads in median household income at $91,681, while colorado Springs offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $451,202. On public safety, Denver is safer with a violent crime rate of 512 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Colorado Springs. Denver has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Denver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Denver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.6%.
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