Colorado Springs CO vs Portland OR — 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%
Portland, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Colorado Springs
483,099
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Colorado Springs
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Colorado Springs
35.6
Colorado Springs +
Portland
38.6
Foreign Born
Colorado Springs
7.4%
Portland
12.4%
Portland +
White
Colorado Springs
72.3%
Colorado Springs +
Portland
70.1%
Black
Colorado Springs
5.8%
Portland
5.8%
Portland +
Asian
Colorado Springs
3.0%
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Hispanic
Colorado Springs
18.7%
Colorado Springs +
Portland
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Colorado Springs
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 483,099 | 642,715 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 38.6 | Colorado Springs + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 12.4% | Portland + |
| White | 72.3% | 70.1% | Colorado Springs + |
| Black | 5.8% | 5.8% | Portland + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 8.1% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 18.7% | 11.3% | Colorado Springs + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Colorado Springs
$83,198
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Colorado Springs
$44,893
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Colorado Springs
$76,653
Colorado Springs +
Portland
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Colorado Springs
5.5%
Portland
5.5%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Colorado Springs
9.3%
Colorado Springs +
Portland
12.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Colorado Springs
41.9%
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,198 | $88,792 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,893 | $55,312 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $63,691 | Colorado Springs + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.5% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 12.8% | Colorado Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 53.5% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Colorado Springs
$451,202
Colorado Springs +
Portland
$538,687
Homeownership Rate
Colorado Springs
61.3%
Colorado Springs +
Portland
52.8%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $451,202 | $538,687 | Colorado Springs + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.3% | 52.8% | Colorado Springs + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
512
Portland
355
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
3234
Portland
3001
Portland +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 355 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 3001 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
28.4%
Colorado Springs +
Portland
28.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.0%
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Colorado Springs
18.0%
Colorado Springs +
Portland
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.9%
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
16.5%
Colorado Springs +
Portland
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
11.0%
Colorado Springs +
Portland
11.7%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.4% | 28.5% | Colorado Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 8.9% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 18.3% | Colorado Springs + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 7.1% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 17.7% | Colorado Springs + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 11.7% | Colorado Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
49.0°F
Colorado Springs +
Portland
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
16.5 in
Colorado Springs +
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.0°F | 51.6°F | Colorado Springs + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.5 in | 78.3 in | Colorado Springs + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
6.2 µg/m³
Colorado Springs +
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Colorado Springs
75.0%
Colorado Springs +
Portland
55.0%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 9.0 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 +
Portland
26.5 min
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 26.5 min | Colorado Springs + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, while colorado Springs offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $451,202. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Colorado Springs. Portland 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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