Colorado Springs CO vs Santa Clarita 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%
Santa Clarita, CA
California · Population: 229,021
- Median HH Income$119,926
- Median Home Price$802,780
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Colorado Springs
483,099
Colorado Springs +
Santa Clarita
229,021
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Colorado Springs
N/A
Santa Clarita
N/A
Median Age
Colorado Springs
35.6
Colorado Springs +
Santa Clarita
38.1
Foreign Born
Colorado Springs
7.4%
Santa Clarita
21.6%
Santa Clarita +
White
Colorado Springs
72.3%
Colorado Springs +
Santa Clarita
53.1%
Black
Colorado Springs
5.8%
Colorado Springs +
Santa Clarita
4.4%
Asian
Colorado Springs
3.0%
Santa Clarita
11.4%
Santa Clarita +
Hispanic
Colorado Springs
18.7%
Santa Clarita
36.0%
Santa Clarita +
Spanish at Home
Colorado Springs
N/A
Santa Clarita
N/A
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 483,099 | 229,021 | Colorado Springs + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 38.1 | Colorado Springs + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 21.6% | Santa Clarita + |
| White | 72.3% | 53.1% | Colorado Springs + |
| Black | 5.8% | 4.4% | Colorado Springs + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 11.4% | Santa Clarita + |
| Hispanic | 18.7% | 36.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Colorado Springs
$83,198
Santa Clarita
$119,926
Santa Clarita +
Per Capita Income
Colorado Springs
$44,893
Santa Clarita
$49,571
Santa Clarita +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Colorado Springs
$76,653
Santa Clarita
$77,230
Santa Clarita +
Unemployment Rate
Colorado Springs
5.5%
Santa Clarita
5.3%
Santa Clarita +
Poverty Rate
Colorado Springs
9.3%
Santa Clarita
7.7%
Santa Clarita +
Bachelor's Degree+
Colorado Springs
41.9%
Colorado Springs +
Santa Clarita
39.3%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,198 | $119,926 | Santa Clarita + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,893 | $49,571 | Santa Clarita + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $77,230 | Santa Clarita + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.3% | Santa Clarita + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 7.7% | Santa Clarita + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 39.3% | Colorado Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Colorado Springs
$451,202
Colorado Springs +
Santa Clarita
$802,780
Homeownership Rate
Colorado Springs
61.3%
Santa Clarita
72.0%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $451,202 | $802,780 | Colorado Springs + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.3% | 72.0% | Santa Clarita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
512
Santa Clarita
503
Santa Clarita +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
3234
Santa Clarita
2388
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 503 | Santa Clarita + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2388 | Santa Clarita + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
28.4%
Santa Clarita
24.7%
Santa Clarita +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.0%
Colorado Springs +
Santa Clarita
9.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Colorado Springs
18.0%
Santa Clarita
16.0%
Santa Clarita +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.9%
Santa Clarita
8.0%
Santa Clarita +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
16.5%
Colorado Springs +
Santa Clarita
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
11.0%
Santa Clarita
9.9%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.4% | 24.7% | Santa Clarita + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 9.8% | Colorado Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 16.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 8.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.9% | Colorado Springs + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 9.9% | Santa Clarita + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
49.0°F
Santa Clarita
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
16.5 in
Santa Clarita
N/A
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Santa Clarita, CA | 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 +
Santa Clarita
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Colorado Springs
75.0%
Santa Clarita
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Santa Clarita, 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 +
Santa Clarita
37.4 min
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 37.4 min | Colorado Springs + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Clarita leads in median household income at $119,926, while colorado Springs offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $451,202. On public safety, Santa Clarita is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Colorado Springs. Santa Clarita has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Colorado Springs has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Clarita scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.7%.
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