Colorado Springs CO vs Richmond 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%
Richmond, CA
California · Population: 115,396
- Median HH Income$90,038
- Median Home Price$608,357
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Colorado Springs
483,099
Colorado Springs +
Richmond
115,396
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Colorado Springs
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
Colorado Springs
35.6
Colorado Springs +
Richmond
37.6
Foreign Born
Colorado Springs
7.4%
Richmond
34.5%
Richmond +
White
Colorado Springs
72.3%
Colorado Springs +
Richmond
21.4%
Black
Colorado Springs
5.8%
Richmond
17.3%
Richmond +
Asian
Colorado Springs
3.0%
Richmond
13.1%
Richmond +
Hispanic
Colorado Springs
18.7%
Richmond
46.9%
Richmond +
Spanish at Home
Colorado Springs
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 483,099 | 115,396 | Colorado Springs + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 37.6 | Colorado Springs + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 34.5% | Richmond + |
| White | 72.3% | 21.4% | Colorado Springs + |
| Black | 5.8% | 17.3% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 13.1% | Richmond + |
| Hispanic | 18.7% | 46.9% | Richmond + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Colorado Springs
$83,198
Richmond
$90,038
Richmond +
Per Capita Income
Colorado Springs
$44,893
Colorado Springs +
Richmond
$41,898
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Colorado Springs
$76,653
Richmond
$77,230
Richmond +
Unemployment Rate
Colorado Springs
5.5%
Colorado Springs +
Richmond
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Colorado Springs
9.3%
Colorado Springs +
Richmond
13.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Colorado Springs
41.9%
Colorado Springs +
Richmond
32.6%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,198 | $90,038 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,893 | $41,898 | Colorado Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $77,230 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 7.0% | Colorado Springs + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 13.7% | Colorado Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 32.6% | Colorado Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Colorado Springs
$451,202
Colorado Springs +
Richmond
$608,357
Homeownership Rate
Colorado Springs
61.3%
Colorado Springs +
Richmond
52.5%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $451,202 | $608,357 | Colorado Springs + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.3% | 52.5% | Colorado Springs + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
512
Richmond
503
Richmond +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
3234
Richmond
2388
Richmond +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 503 | Richmond + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2388 | Richmond + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
28.4%
Colorado Springs +
Richmond
32.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.0%
Colorado Springs +
Richmond
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Colorado Springs
18.0%
Richmond
17.8%
Richmond +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.9%
Colorado Springs +
Richmond
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
16.5%
Richmond
14.9%
Richmond +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
11.0%
Colorado Springs +
Richmond
11.9%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.4% | 32.9% | Colorado Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 12.9% | Colorado Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 17.8% | Richmond + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 13.9% | Colorado Springs + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 14.9% | Richmond + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 11.9% | Colorado Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
49.0°F
Colorado Springs +
Richmond
58.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
16.5 in
Colorado Springs +
Richmond
24.9 in
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.0°F | 58.5°F | Colorado Springs + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.5 in | 24.9 in | Colorado Springs + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
6.2 µg/m³
Colorado Springs +
Richmond
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Colorado Springs
75.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Richmond, 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 +
Richmond
37.7 min
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 37.7 min | Colorado Springs + |
Which City is Right for You?
Richmond leads in median household income at $90,038, while colorado Springs offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $451,202. On public safety, Richmond 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, Colorado Springs scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
Compare More Cities
Colorado Springs, CO vs New York, NYColorado Springs, CO vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Colorado Springs, COColorado Springs, CO vs Houston, TXColorado Springs, CO vs Phoenix, AZColorado Springs, CO vs Philadelphia, PA