Colorado Springs CO vs Plano 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%
Plano, TX
Texas · Population: 287,339
- Median HH Income$108,649
- Median Home Price$507,575
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Colorado Springs
483,099
Colorado Springs +
Plano
287,339
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Colorado Springs
N/A
Plano
N/A
Median Age
Colorado Springs
35.6
Colorado Springs +
Plano
39.3
Foreign Born
Colorado Springs
7.4%
Plano
28.7%
Plano +
White
Colorado Springs
72.3%
Colorado Springs +
Plano
53.2%
Black
Colorado Springs
5.8%
Plano
9.0%
Plano +
Asian
Colorado Springs
3.0%
Plano
22.6%
Plano +
Hispanic
Colorado Springs
18.7%
Colorado Springs +
Plano
16.2%
Spanish at Home
Colorado Springs
N/A
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 483,099 | 287,339 | Colorado Springs + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 39.3 | Colorado Springs + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 28.7% | Plano + |
| White | 72.3% | 53.2% | Colorado Springs + |
| Black | 5.8% | 9.0% | Plano + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 22.6% | Plano + |
| Hispanic | 18.7% | 16.2% | Colorado Springs + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Colorado Springs
$83,198
Plano
$108,649
Plano +
Per Capita Income
Colorado Springs
$44,893
Plano
$57,753
Plano +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Colorado Springs
$76,653
Colorado Springs +
Plano
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Colorado Springs
5.5%
Plano
4.1%
Plano +
Poverty Rate
Colorado Springs
9.3%
Plano
7.1%
Plano +
Bachelor's Degree+
Colorado Springs
41.9%
Plano
59.2%
Plano +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,198 | $108,649 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,893 | $57,753 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $63,758 | Colorado Springs + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.1% | Plano + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 7.1% | Plano + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 59.2% | Plano + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Colorado Springs
$451,202
Colorado Springs +
Plano
$507,575
Homeownership Rate
Colorado Springs
61.3%
Colorado Springs +
Plano
56.6%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $451,202 | $507,575 | Colorado Springs + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.3% | 56.6% | Colorado Springs + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
512
Plano
442
Plano +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
3234
Plano
2339
Plano +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 442 | Plano + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2339 | Plano + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
28.4%
Colorado Springs +
Plano
31.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.0%
Colorado Springs +
Plano
9.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Colorado Springs
18.0%
Plano
14.0%
Plano +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.9%
Colorado Springs +
Plano
10.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
16.5%
Plano
16.4%
Plano +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
11.0%
Plano
8.8%
Plano +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.4% | 31.2% | Colorado Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 9.9% | Colorado Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 14.0% | Plano + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 10.3% | Colorado Springs + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.4% | Plano + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 8.8% | Plano + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
49.0°F
Plano
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
16.5 in
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
6.2 µg/m³
Colorado Springs +
Plano
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Colorado Springs
75.0%
Colorado Springs +
Plano
55.0%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Plano, 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 +
Plano
27.6 min
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 27.6 min | Colorado Springs + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plano leads in median household income at $108,649, while colorado Springs offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $451,202. On public safety, Plano is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Colorado Springs. Plano has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, 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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