Colorado Springs CO vs Detroit MI — 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%
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Colorado Springs
483,099
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Colorado Springs
N/A
Detroit
N/A
Median Age
Colorado Springs
35.6
Detroit
35.1
Detroit +
Foreign Born
Colorado Springs
7.4%
Colorado Springs +
Detroit
5.9%
White
Colorado Springs
72.3%
Colorado Springs +
Detroit
11.7%
Black
Colorado Springs
5.8%
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Asian
Colorado Springs
3.0%
Colorado Springs +
Detroit
1.6%
Hispanic
Colorado Springs
18.7%
Colorado Springs +
Detroit
8.0%
Spanish at Home
Colorado Springs
N/A
Detroit
N/A
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 483,099 | 636,644 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 35.1 | Detroit + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 5.9% | Colorado Springs + |
| White | 72.3% | 11.7% | Colorado Springs + |
| Black | 5.8% | 76.8% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 1.6% | Colorado Springs + |
| Hispanic | 18.7% | 8.0% | Colorado Springs + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Colorado Springs
$83,198
Colorado Springs +
Detroit
$39,575
Per Capita Income
Colorado Springs
$44,893
Colorado Springs +
Detroit
$24,029
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Colorado Springs
$76,653
Colorado Springs +
Detroit
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Colorado Springs
5.5%
Colorado Springs +
Detroit
14.1%
Poverty Rate
Colorado Springs
9.3%
Colorado Springs +
Detroit
31.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Colorado Springs
41.9%
Colorado Springs +
Detroit
17.6%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,198 | $39,575 | Colorado Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,893 | $24,029 | Colorado Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $58,052 | Colorado Springs + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 14.1% | Colorado Springs + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 31.5% | Colorado Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 17.6% | Colorado Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Colorado Springs
$451,202
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Homeownership Rate
Colorado Springs
61.3%
Colorado Springs +
Detroit
49.7%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $451,202 | $76,488 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.3% | 49.7% | Colorado Springs + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
512
Detroit
471
Detroit +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
3234
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 471 | Detroit + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1590 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
28.4%
Colorado Springs +
Detroit
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.0%
Colorado Springs +
Detroit
19.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Colorado Springs
18.0%
Colorado Springs +
Detroit
22.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.9%
Colorado Springs +
Detroit
11.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
16.5%
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
11.0%
Colorado Springs +
Detroit
21.8%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.4% | 45.6% | Colorado Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 19.2% | Colorado Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 22.6% | Colorado Springs + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 11.6% | Colorado Springs + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 11.8% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 21.8% | Colorado Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
49.0°F
Colorado Springs +
Detroit
50.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
16.5 in
Colorado Springs +
Detroit
31.3 in
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.0°F | 50.3°F | Colorado Springs + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.5 in | 31.3 in | Colorado Springs + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
6.2 µg/m³
Colorado Springs +
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Colorado Springs
75.0%
Colorado Springs +
Detroit
55.0%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Colorado Springs + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Colorado Springs + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Colorado Springs
24.1 min
Colorado Springs +
Detroit
27.3 min
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 27.3 min | Colorado Springs + |
Which City is Right for You?
Colorado Springs leads in median household income at $83,198, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Detroit is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 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
Colorado Springs, CO vs New York, NYColorado Springs, CO vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Colorado Springs, COColorado Springs, CO vs Houston, TXColorado Springs, CO vs Phoenix, AZColorado Springs, CO vs Philadelphia, PA