Colorado Springs CO vs Houston TX — 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%
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Colorado Springs
483,099
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Colorado Springs
N/A
Houston
N/A
Median Age
Colorado Springs
35.6
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Foreign Born
Colorado Springs
7.4%
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
White
Colorado Springs
72.3%
Colorado Springs +
Houston
35.5%
Black
Colorado Springs
5.8%
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Asian
Colorado Springs
3.0%
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Hispanic
Colorado Springs
18.7%
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Spanish at Home
Colorado Springs
N/A
Houston
N/A
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 483,099 | 2,300,419 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 34.3 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 28.8% | Houston + |
| White | 72.3% | 35.5% | Colorado Springs + |
| Black | 5.8% | 22.9% | Houston + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 6.9% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 18.7% | 44.1% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Colorado Springs
$83,198
Colorado Springs +
Houston
$62,894
Per Capita Income
Colorado Springs
$44,893
Colorado Springs +
Houston
$41,142
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Colorado Springs
$76,653
Colorado Springs +
Houston
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Colorado Springs
5.5%
Colorado Springs +
Houston
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Colorado Springs
9.3%
Colorado Springs +
Houston
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Colorado Springs
41.9%
Colorado Springs +
Houston
36.0%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,198 | $62,894 | Colorado Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,893 | $41,142 | Colorado Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $63,758 | Colorado Springs + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 6.7% | Colorado Springs + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 19.7% | Colorado Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 36.0% | Colorado Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Colorado Springs
$451,202
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Homeownership Rate
Colorado Springs
61.3%
Colorado Springs +
Houston
42.0%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $451,202 | $265,062 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.3% | 42.0% | Colorado Springs + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
512
Houston
442
Houston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
3234
Houston
2339
Houston +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 442 | Houston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2339 | Houston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
28.4%
Colorado Springs +
Houston
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.0%
Colorado Springs +
Houston
13.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Colorado Springs
18.0%
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.9%
Colorado Springs +
Houston
24.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
16.5%
Colorado Springs +
Houston
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
11.0%
Colorado Springs +
Houston
13.6%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.4% | 38.0% | Colorado Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 13.9% | Colorado Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 17.1% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 24.0% | Colorado Springs + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.7% | Colorado Springs + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 13.6% | Colorado Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
49.0°F
Houston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
16.5 in
Colorado Springs +
Houston
48.7 in
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.5 in | 48.7 in | Colorado Springs + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
6.2 µg/m³
Colorado Springs +
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Colorado Springs
75.0%
Colorado Springs +
Houston
55.0%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 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 +
Houston
29.6 min
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 29.6 min | Colorado Springs + |
Which City is Right for You?
Colorado Springs leads in median household income at $83,198, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, Houston is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 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%.
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