Colorado Springs CO vs Los Angeles 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%
Los Angeles, CA
California · Population: 3,857,897
- Median HH Income$80,366
- Median Home Price$956,465
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Colorado Springs
483,099
Los Angeles
3,857,897
Los Angeles +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Colorado Springs
N/A
Los Angeles
N/A
Median Age
Colorado Springs
35.6
Colorado Springs +
Los Angeles
36.9
Foreign Born
Colorado Springs
7.4%
Los Angeles
35.8%
Los Angeles +
White
Colorado Springs
72.3%
Colorado Springs +
Los Angeles
37.3%
Black
Colorado Springs
5.8%
Los Angeles
8.5%
Los Angeles +
Asian
Colorado Springs
3.0%
Los Angeles
12.0%
Los Angeles +
Hispanic
Colorado Springs
18.7%
Los Angeles
47.2%
Los Angeles +
Spanish at Home
Colorado Springs
N/A
Los Angeles
N/A
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 483,099 | 3,857,897 | Los Angeles + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 36.9 | Colorado Springs + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 35.8% | Los Angeles + |
| White | 72.3% | 37.3% | Colorado Springs + |
| Black | 5.8% | 8.5% | Los Angeles + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 12.0% | Los Angeles + |
| Hispanic | 18.7% | 47.2% | Los Angeles + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Colorado Springs
$83,198
Colorado Springs +
Los Angeles
$80,366
Per Capita Income
Colorado Springs
$44,893
Los Angeles
$46,270
Los Angeles +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Colorado Springs
$76,653
Los Angeles
$77,230
Los Angeles +
Unemployment Rate
Colorado Springs
5.5%
Colorado Springs +
Los Angeles
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Colorado Springs
9.3%
Colorado Springs +
Los Angeles
16.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Colorado Springs
41.9%
Colorado Springs +
Los Angeles
37.8%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,198 | $80,366 | Colorado Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,893 | $46,270 | Los Angeles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $77,230 | Los Angeles + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 7.9% | Colorado Springs + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 16.6% | Colorado Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 37.8% | Colorado Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Colorado Springs
$451,202
Colorado Springs +
Los Angeles
$956,465
Homeownership Rate
Colorado Springs
61.3%
Colorado Springs +
Los Angeles
36.3%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $451,202 | $956,465 | Colorado Springs + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.3% | 36.3% | Colorado Springs + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
512
Los Angeles
503
Los Angeles +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
3234
Los Angeles
2388
Los Angeles +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 503 | Los Angeles + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2388 | Los Angeles + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
28.4%
Los Angeles
27.3%
Los Angeles +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.0%
Colorado Springs +
Los Angeles
11.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Colorado Springs
18.0%
Los Angeles
17.4%
Los Angeles +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.9%
Colorado Springs +
Los Angeles
13.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
16.5%
Los Angeles
15.9%
Los Angeles +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
11.0%
Colorado Springs +
Los Angeles
11.9%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.4% | 27.3% | Los Angeles + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 11.9% | Colorado Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 17.4% | Los Angeles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 13.2% | Colorado Springs + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 15.9% | Los Angeles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 11.9% | Colorado Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
49.0°F
Colorado Springs +
Los Angeles
62.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
16.5 in
Los Angeles
12.8 in
Los Angeles +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.0°F | 62.6°F | Colorado Springs + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.5 in | 12.8 in | Los Angeles + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
6.2 µg/m³
Colorado Springs +
Los Angeles
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Colorado Springs
75.0%
Los Angeles
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Los Angeles, 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 +
Los Angeles
33.8 min
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 33.8 min | Colorado Springs + |
Which City is Right for You?
Colorado Springs leads in median household income at $83,198, while colorado Springs offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $451,202. On public safety, Los Angeles 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, Los Angeles scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.3%.
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