CostIndexUSA

Boulder, CO vs Colorado Springs, CO Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CO
Boulder
105.2
overall index
$2,250/mo rent
More AffordableCO
Colorado Springs
100.7
overall index
$1,675/mo rent

Colorado Springs is slightly cheaper than Boulder — 4.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Boulder, you would need $76,600 in Colorado Springs. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing26.0%
Boulder
157
Colorado Springs
116.2
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Boulder
96.1
Colorado Springs
96.1
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Boulder
104.8
Colorado Springs
104.8
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Boulder
94.8
Colorado Springs
94.8
Utilities+0.6%
Boulder
82.7
Colorado Springs
83.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Boulder to see what you'd need to earn in Colorado Springs to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Colorado Springs, CO
$76,600
$3,400 less needed in Colorado Springs

Formula: salary × (100.7 ÷ 105.2) = salary × 0.9572. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Boulder, CO

Median Home Price
$702,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,250
Housing Index
157
Price-to-Rent Ratio
26.0×

Colorado Springs, CO

Median Home Price
$448,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,675
Housing Index
116.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
22.3×

Boulder has 26.0% lower housing costs compared to Colorado Springs.

Income & Job Market

Boulder, CO

Median Household Income
$95,400
Per Capita Income
$54,400
Unemployment Rate
4.7%
Population
105,112
Top Industries
TechnologyEducationResearchHealthcareOutdoor Recreation

Colorado Springs, CO

Median Household Income
$89,800
Per Capita Income
$51,200
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
Population
478,961
Top Industries
MilitaryAerospaceTechnologyHealthcareTourism

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Boulder, CO
3.5×income-to-rent ratio

72% of income left after rent (median)

Colorado Springs, CO
4.5×income-to-rent ratio

78% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.