Median rent is 24% lower in Colorado Springs ($1,648/mo vs $2,175/mo). Buying is cheaper in Colorado Springs, where the median home runs $452,600 versus $831,200. Households earn more in Anaheim ($95,227 vs $84,818 a year). Taken together, Colorado Springs is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 98.1 against 114.7 — about 14% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Colorado Springs, CO.
Cost of living verdict
Colorado Springs is 14% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 98.1 in Colorado Springs vs 114.7 in Anaheim (US national average = 100)
City A
Anaheim, CA
City B
Colorado Springs, CO
How much would you need to earn in Colorado Springs, CO to maintain your standard of living from Anaheim, CA?
Equivalent salary in Colorado Springs, CO
$64,127
You could earn $10,873 less (14% lower) and break even.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Anaheim
California
Colorado Springs
Colorado
Population
Median Household Income
Annual
Median Gross Rent
Per month
Median Home Value
Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Colorado Springs — median rent of $1,648/mo versus $2,175/mo in Anaheim, a 24% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Anaheim: the median home is $831,200 versus $452,600 in Colorado Springs — 46% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Anaheim
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Colorado Springs
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Colorado Springs has cleaner air on average: 23.0 AQI (Good) compared to 35.0 AQI (Good) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Colorado Springs if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 98.1 vs 114.7).
Pick Anaheim if you prioritize higher median household income ($95,227/yr).
Pick Colorado Springs if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,648/mo median).
Pick Colorado Springs if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 23.0).
Is Anaheim cheaper than Colorado Springs?
Colorado Springs is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 98.1 versus 114.7 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 14% lower in Colorado Springs.
How much is rent in Anaheim vs Colorado Springs?
Median rent is $2,175/mo in Anaheim, CA and $1,648/mo in Colorado Springs, CO. Colorado Springs, CO has the lower rent by about 24%.
Which has higher salaries — Anaheim or Colorado Springs?
Median household income is $95,227 in Anaheim, CA and $84,818 in Colorado Springs, CO. Anaheim, CA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Colorado Springs, CO has better air quality on average: 23.0 AQI versus 35.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Anaheim or Colorado Springs?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Colorado Springs to match my Anaheim income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Anaheim, CA is equivalent to roughly $85,502 in Colorado Springs, CO (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
