Colorado Springs CO vs Fullerton CA — 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%
Fullerton, CA
California · Population: 141,278
- Median HH Income$104,219
- Median Home Price$1,047,700
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+43.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Colorado Springs
483,099
Colorado Springs +
Fullerton
141,278
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Colorado Springs
N/A
Fullerton
N/A
Median Age
Colorado Springs
35.6
Colorado Springs +
Fullerton
36.1
Foreign Born
Colorado Springs
7.4%
Fullerton
28.9%
Fullerton +
White
Colorado Springs
72.3%
Colorado Springs +
Fullerton
43.0%
Black
Colorado Springs
5.8%
Colorado Springs +
Fullerton
2.1%
Asian
Colorado Springs
3.0%
Fullerton
24.5%
Fullerton +
Hispanic
Colorado Springs
18.7%
Fullerton
39.6%
Fullerton +
Spanish at Home
Colorado Springs
N/A
Fullerton
N/A
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Fullerton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 483,099 | 141,278 | Colorado Springs + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 36.1 | Colorado Springs + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 28.9% | Fullerton + |
| White | 72.3% | 43.0% | Colorado Springs + |
| Black | 5.8% | 2.1% | Colorado Springs + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 24.5% | Fullerton + |
| Hispanic | 18.7% | 39.6% | Fullerton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Colorado Springs
$83,198
Fullerton
$104,219
Fullerton +
Per Capita Income
Colorado Springs
$44,893
Fullerton
$48,061
Fullerton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Colorado Springs
$76,653
Fullerton
$77,230
Fullerton +
Unemployment Rate
Colorado Springs
5.5%
Colorado Springs +
Fullerton
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Colorado Springs
9.3%
Colorado Springs +
Fullerton
12.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Colorado Springs
41.9%
Fullerton
43.6%
Fullerton +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Fullerton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,198 | $104,219 | Fullerton + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,893 | $48,061 | Fullerton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $77,230 | Fullerton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 6.5% | Colorado Springs + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 12.2% | Colorado Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 43.6% | Fullerton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Colorado Springs
$451,202
Colorado Springs +
Fullerton
$1,047,700
Homeownership Rate
Colorado Springs
61.3%
Colorado Springs +
Fullerton
51.5%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Fullerton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $451,202 | $1,047,700 | Colorado Springs + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.3% | 51.5% | Colorado Springs + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
512
Fullerton
503
Fullerton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
3234
Fullerton
2388
Fullerton +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Fullerton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 503 | Fullerton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2388 | Fullerton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
28.4%
Fullerton
23.9%
Fullerton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.0%
Colorado Springs +
Fullerton
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Colorado Springs
18.0%
Fullerton
16.8%
Fullerton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.9%
Colorado Springs +
Fullerton
10.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
16.5%
Fullerton
15.0%
Fullerton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
11.0%
Fullerton
9.2%
Fullerton +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Fullerton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.4% | 23.9% | Fullerton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 10.9% | Colorado Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 16.8% | Fullerton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 10.2% | Colorado Springs + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 15.0% | Fullerton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 9.2% | Fullerton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
49.0°F
Colorado Springs +
Fullerton
65.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
16.5 in
Fullerton
13.9 in
Fullerton +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Fullerton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.0°F | 65.1°F | Colorado Springs + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.5 in | 13.9 in | Fullerton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
6.2 µg/m³
Colorado Springs +
Fullerton
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Colorado Springs
75.0%
Fullerton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Fullerton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Colorado Springs + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Colorado Springs
24.1 min
Colorado Springs +
Fullerton
32.5 min
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Fullerton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 32.5 min | Colorado Springs + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fullerton leads in median household income at $104,219, while colorado Springs offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $451,202. On public safety, Fullerton is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 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, Fullerton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.9%.
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