Median rent is 12% lower in Colorado Springs ($1,562/mo vs $1,770/mo). Buying is cheaper in Colorado Springs, where the median home runs $420,700 versus $586,700. Households earn more in Denver ($91,681 vs $83,198 a year).
City A
Colorado Springs, CO
City B
Denver, CO
How much would you need to earn in Denver, CO to maintain your standard of living from Colorado Springs, CO?
A cost-of-living index isn't available for one of these cities yet, so we can't compute an equivalent salary.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Colorado Springs
Colorado
Denver
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: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in Colorado Springs at $1,562/mo compared to $1,770/mo in Denver (12% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Denver: the median home is $586,700 versus $420,700 in Colorado Springs — 28% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Colorado's top income tax rate is 4.40% versus 4.40% in Colorado, so Denver is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 2.90% in Colorado and 2.90% in Colorado; Denver has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Colorado Springs
Income tax: 4.40%
Sales tax: 2.90%
Denver
Income tax: 4.40%
Sales tax: 2.90%
Both cities have similar air quality: Colorado Springs averages 34.0 AQI (Good) and Denver averages 33.0 AQI (Good).
Pick Denver if you prioritize higher median household income ($91,681/yr).
Pick Colorado Springs if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,562/mo median).
Is Colorado Springs cheaper than Denver?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Colorado Springs vs Denver?
Median rent is $1,562/mo in Colorado Springs, CO and $1,770/mo in Denver, CO. Colorado Springs, CO has the lower rent by about 12%.
Which has higher salaries — Colorado Springs or Denver?
Median household income is $83,198 in Colorado Springs, CO and $91,681 in Denver, CO. Denver, CO 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?
Denver, CO has better air quality on average: 33.0 AQI versus 34.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Colorado Springs or Denver?
Colorado's top income tax rate is 4.40% and Colorado's is 4.40%. Denver, CO has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in Denver to match my Colorado Springs income?
RPP data needed for salary equivalence calculation is not yet available.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology