Median rent is 16% lower in Colorado Springs ($1,648/mo vs $1,954/mo). Buying is cheaper in Colorado Springs, where the median home runs $452,600 versus $737,100. Households earn more in Washington ($109,870 vs $84,818 a year). Taken together, Colorado Springs is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 98.1 against 109.5 — about 10% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Washington, DC.
Cost of living verdict
Colorado Springs is 10% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 98.1 in Colorado Springs vs 109.5 in Washington (US national average = 100)
City A
Colorado Springs, CO
City B
Washington, DC
How much would you need to earn in Washington, DC to maintain your standard of living from Colorado Springs, CO?
Equivalent salary in Washington, DC
$83,737
You'd need $8,737 more (12% 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
Washington
District of Columbia
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 $1,954/mo in Washington (16% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Washington: the median home is $737,100 versus $452,600 in Colorado Springs — 39% more expensive.
Metric
Colorado Springs
Washington
Software Developer
Registered Nurse
Elementary Teacher
Electrician
Accountant
Higher wage highlighted · 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
Washington
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Both cities have similar air quality: Colorado Springs averages 23.0 AQI (Good) and Washington averages 24.0 AQI (Good).
Pick Colorado Springs if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 98.1 vs 109.5).
Pick Washington if you prioritize higher median household income ($109,870/yr).
Pick Colorado Springs if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,648/mo median).
Colorado Springs is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 98.1 versus 109.5 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 10% lower in Colorado Springs.
Median rent is $1,648/mo in Colorado Springs, CO and $1,954/mo in Washington, DC. Colorado Springs, CO has the lower rent by about 16%.
Median household income is $84,818 in Colorado Springs, CO and $109,870 in Washington, DC. Washington, DC has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Colorado Springs, CO has better air quality on average: 23.0 AQI versus 24.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Colorado Springs, CO is equivalent to roughly $111,650 in Washington, DC (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
