Colorado Springs CO vs Seattle WA — 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Colorado Springs
483,099
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Colorado Springs
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Colorado Springs
35.6
Seattle
35.5
Seattle +
Foreign Born
Colorado Springs
7.4%
Seattle
19.9%
Seattle +
White
Colorado Springs
72.3%
Colorado Springs +
Seattle
61.8%
Black
Colorado Springs
5.8%
Seattle
6.6%
Seattle +
Asian
Colorado Springs
3.0%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
Colorado Springs
18.7%
Colorado Springs +
Seattle
8.2%
Spanish at Home
Colorado Springs
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 483,099 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 35.5 | Seattle + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 19.9% | Seattle + |
| White | 72.3% | 61.8% | Colorado Springs + |
| Black | 5.8% | 6.6% | Seattle + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 18.7% | 8.2% | Colorado Springs + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Colorado Springs
$83,198
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Colorado Springs
$44,893
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Colorado Springs
$76,653
Colorado Springs +
Seattle
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Colorado Springs
5.5%
Seattle
4.2%
Seattle +
Poverty Rate
Colorado Springs
9.3%
Colorado Springs +
Seattle
9.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Colorado Springs
41.9%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,198 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,893 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $76,120 | Colorado Springs + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.2% | Seattle + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 9.9% | Colorado Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Colorado Springs
$451,202
Colorado Springs +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Colorado Springs
61.3%
Colorado Springs +
Seattle
44.3%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $451,202 | $871,599 | Colorado Springs + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.3% | 44.3% | Colorado Springs + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
512
Seattle
383
Seattle +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
3234
Colorado Springs +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 383 | Seattle + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 3409 | Colorado Springs + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
28.4%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.0%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Colorado Springs
18.0%
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.9%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
16.5%
Colorado Springs +
Seattle
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
11.0%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.4% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 15.3% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 19.0% | Colorado Springs + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
49.0°F
Colorado Springs +
Seattle
52.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
16.5 in
Colorado Springs +
Seattle
37.5 in
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.0°F | 52.6°F | Colorado Springs + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.5 in | 37.5 in | Colorado Springs + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
6.2 µg/m³
Colorado Springs +
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Colorado Springs
75.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 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 +
Seattle
28.8 min
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 28.8 min | Colorado Springs + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, while colorado Springs offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $451,202. On public safety, Seattle is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Colorado Springs. Seattle has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Colorado Springs has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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