Colorado Springs CO vs Irvine 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%
Irvine, CA
California · Population: 308,160
- Median HH Income$129,647
- Median Home Price$1,566,872
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+70.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Colorado Springs
483,099
Colorado Springs +
Irvine
308,160
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Colorado Springs
N/A
Irvine
N/A
Median Age
Colorado Springs
35.6
Irvine
33.9
Irvine +
Foreign Born
Colorado Springs
7.4%
Irvine
39.3%
Irvine +
White
Colorado Springs
72.3%
Colorado Springs +
Irvine
38.7%
Black
Colorado Springs
5.8%
Colorado Springs +
Irvine
2.0%
Asian
Colorado Springs
3.0%
Irvine
44.1%
Irvine +
Hispanic
Colorado Springs
18.7%
Colorado Springs +
Irvine
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Colorado Springs
N/A
Irvine
N/A
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 483,099 | 308,160 | Colorado Springs + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 33.9 | Irvine + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 39.3% | Irvine + |
| White | 72.3% | 38.7% | Colorado Springs + |
| Black | 5.8% | 2.0% | Colorado Springs + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 44.1% | Irvine + |
| Hispanic | 18.7% | 11.3% | Colorado Springs + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Colorado Springs
$83,198
Irvine
$129,647
Irvine +
Per Capita Income
Colorado Springs
$44,893
Irvine
$62,149
Irvine +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Colorado Springs
$76,653
Irvine
$77,230
Irvine +
Unemployment Rate
Colorado Springs
5.5%
Irvine
5.5%
Irvine +
Poverty Rate
Colorado Springs
9.3%
Colorado Springs +
Irvine
11.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Colorado Springs
41.9%
Irvine
70.6%
Irvine +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,198 | $129,647 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,893 | $62,149 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $77,230 | Irvine + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.5% | Irvine + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 11.7% | Colorado Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 70.6% | Irvine + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Colorado Springs
$451,202
Colorado Springs +
Irvine
$1,566,872
Homeownership Rate
Colorado Springs
61.3%
Colorado Springs +
Irvine
43.8%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $451,202 | $1,566,872 | Colorado Springs + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.3% | 43.8% | Colorado Springs + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
512
Irvine
503
Irvine +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
3234
Irvine
2388
Irvine +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 503 | Irvine + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2388 | Irvine + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
28.4%
Irvine
19.2%
Irvine +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.0%
Irvine
8.3%
Irvine +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Colorado Springs
18.0%
Irvine
15.4%
Irvine +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.9%
Irvine
5.0%
Irvine +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
16.5%
Irvine
15.2%
Irvine +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
11.0%
Irvine
6.9%
Irvine +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.4% | 19.2% | Irvine + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 8.3% | Irvine + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 15.4% | Irvine + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 5.0% | Irvine + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 15.2% | Irvine + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 6.9% | Irvine + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
49.0°F
Colorado Springs +
Irvine
65.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
16.5 in
Irvine
14.3 in
Irvine +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.0°F | 65.3°F | Colorado Springs + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.5 in | 14.3 in | Irvine + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
6.2 µg/m³
Colorado Springs +
Irvine
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Colorado Springs
75.0%
Irvine
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Irvine, 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 +
Irvine
26.0 min
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 26.0 min | Colorado Springs + |
Which City is Right for You?
Irvine leads in median household income at $129,647, while colorado Springs offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $451,202. On public safety, Irvine is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Colorado Springs. Irvine 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, Irvine scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.2%.
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