Median rent is 14% lower in Colorado Springs ($1,648/mo vs $1,914/mo). Buying is cheaper in Colorado Springs, where the median home runs $452,600 versus $584,800. Households earn more in Riverside ($91,045 vs $84,818 a year). Taken together, Colorado Springs is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 98.1 against 107.3 — about 9% lower overall prices.
Cost of living verdict
Colorado Springs is 9% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 98.1 in Colorado Springs vs 107.3 in Riverside (US national average = 100)
City A
Colorado Springs, CO
City B
Riverside, CA
How much would you need to earn in Riverside, CA to maintain your standard of living from Colorado Springs, CO?
Equivalent salary in Riverside, CA
$82,054
You'd need $7,054 more (9% 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
Riverside
California
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 Colorado Springs at $1,648/mo compared to $1,914/mo in Riverside (14% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Riverside: the median home is $584,800 versus $452,600 in Colorado Springs — 23% 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
Riverside
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Colorado Springs has cleaner air on average: 23.0 AQI (Good) compared to 65.0 AQI (Moderate) 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 107.3).
Pick Riverside if you prioritize higher median household income ($91,045/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 Colorado Springs cheaper than Riverside?
Colorado Springs is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 98.1 versus 107.3 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 9% lower in Colorado Springs.
How much is rent in Colorado Springs vs Riverside?
Median rent is $1,648/mo in Colorado Springs, CO and $1,914/mo in Riverside, CA. Colorado Springs, CO has the lower rent by about 14%.
Which has higher salaries — Colorado Springs or Riverside?
Median household income is $84,818 in Colorado Springs, CO and $91,045 in Riverside, CA. Riverside, 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 65.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Colorado Springs or Riverside?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Riverside 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 $109,405 in Riverside, CA (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
