Colorado Springs CO vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Colorado Springs
483,099
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Colorado Springs
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Colorado Springs
35.6
Washington
34.9
Washington +
Foreign Born
Colorado Springs
7.4%
Washington
13.3%
Washington +
White
Colorado Springs
72.3%
Colorado Springs +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Colorado Springs
5.8%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Colorado Springs
3.0%
Washington
4.1%
Washington +
Hispanic
Colorado Springs
18.7%
Colorado Springs +
Washington
11.6%
Spanish at Home
Colorado Springs
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 483,099 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 34.9 | Washington + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 13.3% | Washington + |
| White | 72.3% | 39.1% | Colorado Springs + |
| Black | 5.8% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 4.1% | Washington + |
| Hispanic | 18.7% | 11.6% | Colorado Springs + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Colorado Springs
$83,198
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Colorado Springs
$44,893
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Colorado Springs
$76,653
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Colorado Springs
5.5%
Colorado Springs +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Colorado Springs
9.3%
Colorado Springs +
Washington
14.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Colorado Springs
41.9%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,198 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,893 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 6.5% | Colorado Springs + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 14.5% | Colorado Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Colorado Springs
$451,202
Colorado Springs +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Colorado Springs
61.3%
Colorado Springs +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $451,202 | $580,173 | Colorado Springs + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.3% | 41.1% | Colorado Springs + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
512
Washington
398
Washington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
3234
Washington
1999
Washington +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 398 | Washington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1999 | Washington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
28.4%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.0%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Colorado Springs
18.0%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.9%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
16.5%
Colorado Springs +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
11.0%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.4% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 24.0% | Colorado Springs + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
49.0°F
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
16.5 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Washington, DC | 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 +
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Colorado Springs
75.0%
Washington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 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 +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 32.8 min | Colorado Springs + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, while colorado Springs offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $451,202. On public safety, Washington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 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, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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