Median rent is 8% lower in Fort Worth ($1,509/mo vs $1,648/mo). Buying is cheaper in Fort Worth, where the median home runs $303,000 versus $452,600. Households earn more in Colorado Springs ($84,818 vs $79,507 a year). Taken together, Colorado Springs is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 98.1 against 102.5 — about 4% 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 4% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 98.1 in Colorado Springs vs 102.5 in Fort Worth (US national average = 100)
City A
Colorado Springs, CO
City B
Fort Worth, TX
How much would you need to earn in Fort Worth, TX to maintain your standard of living from Colorado Springs, CO?
Equivalent salary in Fort Worth, TX
$78,346
You'd need $3,346 more (4% higher).
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
Colorado Springs
Colorado
Fort Worth
Texas
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
Median rent is modestly lower in Fort Worth at $1,509/mo compared to $1,648/mo in Colorado Springs (8% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Colorado Springs: the median home is $452,600 versus $303,000 in Fort Worth — 33% 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.
Colorado Springs
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Fort Worth
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is available for Colorado Springs (avg AQI 23.0) but not yet for Fort Worth.
Pick Colorado Springs if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 98.1 vs 102.5).
Pick Colorado Springs if you prioritize higher median household income ($84,818/yr).
Is Colorado Springs cheaper than Fort Worth?
Colorado Springs is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 98.1 versus 102.5 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 4% lower in Colorado Springs.
How much is rent in Colorado Springs vs Fort Worth?
Median rent is $1,648/mo in Colorado Springs, CO and $1,509/mo in Fort Worth, TX. Fort Worth, TX has the lower rent by about 8%.
Which has higher salaries — Colorado Springs or Fort Worth?
Median household income is $84,818 in Colorado Springs, CO and $79,507 in Fort Worth, TX. Colorado Springs, 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?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Colorado Springs or Fort Worth?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Fort Worth to match my Colorado Springs income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Colorado Springs, CO is equivalent to roughly $104,461 in Fort Worth, TX (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
