Colorado Springs CO vs Riverside 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%
Riverside, CA
California · Population: 316,241
- Median HH Income$88,575
- Median Home Price$648,603
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+25.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Colorado Springs
483,099
Colorado Springs +
Riverside
316,241
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Colorado Springs
N/A
Riverside
N/A
Median Age
Colorado Springs
35.6
Riverside
33.1
Riverside +
Foreign Born
Colorado Springs
7.4%
Riverside
22.4%
Riverside +
White
Colorado Springs
72.3%
Colorado Springs +
Riverside
39.2%
Black
Colorado Springs
5.8%
Riverside
6.0%
Riverside +
Asian
Colorado Springs
3.0%
Riverside
8.3%
Riverside +
Hispanic
Colorado Springs
18.7%
Riverside
54.6%
Riverside +
Spanish at Home
Colorado Springs
N/A
Riverside
N/A
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 483,099 | 316,241 | Colorado Springs + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 33.1 | Riverside + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 22.4% | Riverside + |
| White | 72.3% | 39.2% | Colorado Springs + |
| Black | 5.8% | 6.0% | Riverside + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 8.3% | Riverside + |
| Hispanic | 18.7% | 54.6% | Riverside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Colorado Springs
$83,198
Riverside
$88,575
Riverside +
Per Capita Income
Colorado Springs
$44,893
Colorado Springs +
Riverside
$33,716
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Colorado Springs
$76,653
Riverside
$77,230
Riverside +
Unemployment Rate
Colorado Springs
5.5%
Colorado Springs +
Riverside
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Colorado Springs
9.3%
Colorado Springs +
Riverside
12.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Colorado Springs
41.9%
Colorado Springs +
Riverside
25.7%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,198 | $88,575 | Riverside + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,893 | $33,716 | Colorado Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $77,230 | Riverside + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 6.0% | Colorado Springs + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 12.5% | Colorado Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 25.7% | Colorado Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Colorado Springs
$451,202
Colorado Springs +
Riverside
$648,603
Homeownership Rate
Colorado Springs
61.3%
Colorado Springs +
Riverside
56.3%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $451,202 | $648,603 | Colorado Springs + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.3% | 56.3% | Colorado Springs + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
512
Riverside
503
Riverside +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
3234
Riverside
2388
Riverside +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 503 | Riverside + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2388 | Riverside + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
28.4%
Colorado Springs +
Riverside
36.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.0%
Colorado Springs +
Riverside
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Colorado Springs
18.0%
Colorado Springs +
Riverside
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.9%
Colorado Springs +
Riverside
13.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
16.5%
Riverside
15.2%
Riverside +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
11.0%
Colorado Springs +
Riverside
11.5%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.4% | 36.7% | Colorado Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 11.2% | Colorado Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 18.5% | Colorado Springs + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 13.6% | Colorado Springs + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 15.2% | Riverside + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 11.5% | Colorado Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
49.0°F
Colorado Springs +
Riverside
66.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
16.5 in
Riverside
10.3 in
Riverside +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.0°F | 66.8°F | Colorado Springs + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.5 in | 10.3 in | Riverside + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
6.2 µg/m³
Colorado Springs +
Riverside
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Colorado Springs
75.0%
Riverside
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Riverside, 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 +
Riverside
34.1 min
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 34.1 min | Colorado Springs + |
Which City is Right for You?
Riverside leads in median household income at $88,575, while colorado Springs offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $451,202. On public safety, Riverside 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%.
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