Colorado Springs CO vs San Francisco 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%
San Francisco, CA
California · Population: 836,321
- Median HH Income$141,446
- Median Home Price$1,369,171
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+60.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Colorado Springs
483,099
San Francisco
836,321
San Francisco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Colorado Springs
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
Median Age
Colorado Springs
35.6
Colorado Springs +
San Francisco
39.7
Foreign Born
Colorado Springs
7.4%
San Francisco
34.2%
San Francisco +
White
Colorado Springs
72.3%
Colorado Springs +
San Francisco
40.5%
Black
Colorado Springs
5.8%
Colorado Springs +
San Francisco
5.1%
Asian
Colorado Springs
3.0%
San Francisco
35.0%
San Francisco +
Hispanic
Colorado Springs
18.7%
Colorado Springs +
San Francisco
15.9%
Spanish at Home
Colorado Springs
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 483,099 | 836,321 | San Francisco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 39.7 | Colorado Springs + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 34.2% | San Francisco + |
| White | 72.3% | 40.5% | Colorado Springs + |
| Black | 5.8% | 5.1% | Colorado Springs + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 35.0% | San Francisco + |
| Hispanic | 18.7% | 15.9% | Colorado Springs + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Colorado Springs
$83,198
San Francisco
$141,446
San Francisco +
Per Capita Income
Colorado Springs
$44,893
San Francisco
$90,285
San Francisco +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Colorado Springs
$76,653
San Francisco
$77,230
San Francisco +
Unemployment Rate
Colorado Springs
5.5%
Colorado Springs +
San Francisco
5.6%
Poverty Rate
Colorado Springs
9.3%
Colorado Springs +
San Francisco
10.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Colorado Springs
41.9%
San Francisco
60.1%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,198 | $141,446 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,893 | $90,285 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $77,230 | San Francisco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.6% | Colorado Springs + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 10.6% | Colorado Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 60.1% | San Francisco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Colorado Springs
$451,202
Colorado Springs +
San Francisco
$1,369,171
Homeownership Rate
Colorado Springs
61.3%
Colorado Springs +
San Francisco
38.5%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $451,202 | $1,369,171 | Colorado Springs + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.3% | 38.5% | Colorado Springs + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
512
San Francisco
503
San Francisco +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
3234
San Francisco
2388
San Francisco +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 503 | San Francisco + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2388 | San Francisco + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
28.4%
San Francisco
17.5%
San Francisco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.0%
Colorado Springs +
San Francisco
9.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Colorado Springs
18.0%
San Francisco
14.5%
San Francisco +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.9%
San Francisco
6.6%
San Francisco +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
16.5%
Colorado Springs +
San Francisco
19.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
11.0%
San Francisco
9.1%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.4% | 17.5% | San Francisco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 9.7% | Colorado Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 14.5% | San Francisco + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 6.6% | San Francisco + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 19.6% | Colorado Springs + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 9.1% | San Francisco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
49.0°F
Colorado Springs +
San Francisco
55.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
16.5 in
Colorado Springs +
San Francisco
20.7 in
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.0°F | 55.3°F | Colorado Springs + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.5 in | 20.7 in | Colorado Springs + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
6.2 µg/m³
Colorado Springs +
San Francisco
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Colorado Springs
75.0%
San Francisco
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | San Francisco, 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 +
San Francisco
33.9 min
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 33.9 min | Colorado Springs + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Francisco leads in median household income at $141,446, while colorado Springs offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $451,202. On public safety, San Francisco 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, San Francisco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 17.5%.
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