Cost of Living in Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado Springs, CO — prices, rents and what jobs really pay here after taxes.
Price level
100.7
U.S. average = 100 · #76 of 387
Median wage
$52,710
all jobs · $3,577/mo take-home
1-bedroom rent
$1,461
HUD fair market rent
Salary comparison calculator
What would you need to earn in Colorado Springs, CO to keep the same lifestyle — after taxes — as in another city?
Salary needed to keep your lifestyle
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Prices in Colorado Springs, CO vs. the U.S. average
| Category | Index (U.S. = 100) | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 100.7 | +0.7% |
| Housing | 116.2 | +16.2% |
| Goods | 96.1 | −3.9% |
| Utilities | 83.2 | −16.8% |
| Other services | 99.8 | −0.2% |
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Rent in Colorado Springs, CO
| Unit | Monthly rent | Income needed (30% rule) |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,191 | $47,640/yr |
| 1 bedroom | $1,461 | $58,440/yr |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,727 | $69,080/yr |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,402 | $96,080/yr |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,736 | $109,440/yr |
HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026, population-weighted across the metro's counties.
Take-home pay in Colorado Springs, CO
Your take-home pay
$42,922
per year · effective tax rate 18.6%
$3,577Monthly
$1,788Twice a month
$1,651Every 2 weeks
$20.64Hourly
- Federal income tax$4,145
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,268
- Medicare (1.45%)$764
- Colorado income tax$1,611
- Take-home pay$42,922
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.40% state
Highest-paying jobs in Colorado Springs, CO
| Job | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Systems Manager | $192,400 | $135,504 | $134,553 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $183,400 | $129,259 | $128,351 |
| Sales Manager | $177,780 | $125,665 | $124,782 |
| Financial Manager | $172,680 | $122,403 | $121,544 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $151,980 | $109,166 | $108,399 |
| Managers, All Other | $149,120 | $107,337 | $106,583 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $136,920 | $99,535 | $98,836 |
| Physician Assistant | $135,200 | $98,435 | $97,744 |
| Software Developer | $134,280 | $97,846 | $97,160 |
| Computer Network Architect | $130,980 | $95,736 | $95,064 |
| Information Security Analyst | $130,880 | $95,672 | $95,001 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $129,950 | $95,077 | $94,410 |
| Engineers, All Other | $129,790 | $94,975 | $94,308 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $128,740 | $94,304 | $93,642 |
| Software Quality Assurance Analyst and Tester | $128,520 | $94,163 | $93,502 |
| Data Scientist | $127,600 | $93,575 | $92,918 |
| Medical and Health Services Manager | $125,210 | $92,046 | $91,400 |
| General and Operations Manager | $120,770 | $89,186 | $88,560 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $119,330 | $88,237 | $87,617 |
| Dental Hygienist | $118,410 | $87,630 | $87,015 |
*In U.S.-average dollars after adjusting for local prices.
Frequently asked questions
Is Colorado Springs, CO expensive to live in?
According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, overall prices in the Colorado Springs, CO metro area are 100.7% of the U.S. average, with housing at 116.2%. It is the #76 most expensive of 387 metro areas we track.
What salary do you need to live in Colorado Springs, CO?
To match the buying power of a $60,000 salary in an average-priced U.S. city you would need about $60,424 in Colorado Springs, CO (before tax differences). The median wage across all jobs here is $52,710.
How much is rent in Colorado Springs, CO?
HUD’s FY2026 fair market rents for Colorado Springs, CO are $1,191 for a studio, $1,461 for one bedroom, $1,727 for two bedrooms and $2,402 for three bedrooms, including utilities.
All salaries in Colorado Springs, CO
Management Occupations
- Computer and Information Systems Manager — $192,400
- Architectural and Engineering Manager — $183,400
- Sales Manager — $177,780
- Financial Manager — $172,680
- Managers, All Other — $149,120
- Medical and Health Services Manager — $125,210
- General and Operations Manager — $120,770
- Construction Manager — $112,390
- Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary — $106,360
Business and Financial Operations Occupations
- Management Analyst — $117,850
- Project Management Specialist — $111,740
- Logistician — $103,480
- Financial and Investment Analyst — $102,640
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other — $94,450
- Market Research Analyst and Marketing Specialist — $90,210
- Accountant and Auditor — $85,000
- Cost Estimator — $84,990
- Buyer and Purchasing Agent — $84,370
- Human Resources Specialist — $79,000
- Compliance Officer — $78,420
- Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators — $71,580
- Training and Development Specialist — $66,560
Computer and Mathematical Occupations
- Software Developer — $134,280
- Computer Network Architect — $130,980
- Information Security Analyst — $130,880
- Computer Systems Analyst — $128,740
- Software Quality Assurance Analyst and Tester — $128,520
- Data Scientist — $127,600
- Computer Occupations, All Other — $110,090
- Network and Computer Systems Administrator — $101,850
- Computer User Support Specialist — $59,930
Architecture and Engineering Occupations
- Aerospace Engineer — $151,980
- Computer Hardware Engineer — $136,920
- Engineers, All Other — $129,790
- Electronics Engineers, Except Computer — $119,330
- Electrical Engineer — $118,250
- Mechanical Engineer — $109,370
- Industrial Engineer — $105,320
- Civil Engineer — $94,840
Community and Social Service Occupations
- Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors — $62,640
- Child, Family, and School Social Workers — $60,320
- Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors — $59,740
- Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other — $48,620
- Social and Human Service Assistant — $44,560
Legal Occupations
- Lawyer — $106,320
- Paralegal and Legal Assistant — $64,830
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
- Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education — $61,710
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education — $61,140
- Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School — $60,900
- Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education — $60,680
- Educational Instruction and Library Workers, All Other — $60,470
- Self-Enrichment Teacher — $43,390
- Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary — $34,840
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations
- Public Relations Specialist — $75,550
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
- Physician Assistant — $135,200
- Nurse Practitioner — $129,950
- Dental Hygienist — $118,410
- Speech-Language Pathologist — $108,140
- Occupational Therapist — $105,780
- Physical Therapist — $97,900
- Registered Nurse — $96,140
- Radiologic Technologist and Technician — $86,470
- Clinical Laboratory Technologist and Technician — $77,300
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse — $68,360
- Pharmacy Technician — $49,930
- Veterinary Technologist and Technician — $46,630
Healthcare Support Occupations
- Massage Therapist — $60,030
- Dental Assistant — $48,290
- Nursing Assistant — $46,120
- Medical Assistant — $45,730
- Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $37,530
Protective Service Occupations
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $91,580
- Firefighter — $63,110
- Security Guard — $42,670
- Protective Service Workers, All Other — $37,200
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations
- Chef and Head Cook — $59,180
- Waiter and Waitress — $46,230
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $45,390
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — $39,110
- Cooks, Restaurant — $38,000
- Bartender — $37,700
- Food Preparation Worker — $37,450
- Food Servers, Nonrestaurant — $36,690
- Cooks, Fast Food — $36,560
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop — $36,350
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper — $35,660
- Dishwasher — $35,030
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $34,420
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations
- First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers — $56,370
- First-Line Supervisor of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers — $47,930
- Landscaping and Groundskeeping Worker — $43,480
- Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners — $37,500
- Maid and Housekeeping Cleaner — $35,910
Personal Care and Service Occupations
- Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor — $47,120
- Recreation Worker — $37,600
- Childcare Worker — $37,160
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists — $36,680
- Manicurist and Pedicurist — $36,670
- Animal Caretaker — $35,220
- Amusement and Recreation Attendant — $32,570
Sales and Related Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Non-Retail Sales Workers — $101,910
- Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel — $75,830
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products — $72,780
- Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents — $63,690
- Insurance Sales Agent — $58,640
- Sales and Related Workers, All Other — $54,070
- First-Line Supervisor of Retail Sales Workers — $53,690
- Parts Salesperson — $46,660
- Counter and Rental Clerk — $43,510
- Retail Salesperson — $36,060
- Cashier — $35,740
Office and Administrative Support Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Office and Administrative Support Workers — $70,150
- Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks — $60,860
- Postal Service Mail Carrier — $59,880
- Court, Municipal, and License Clerks — $51,920
- Office Clerks, General — $49,860
- Information and Record Clerks, All Other — $49,450
- Billing and Posting Clerk — $48,690
- Interviewers, Except Eligibility and Loan — $47,900
- Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive — $47,010
- Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks — $46,840
- Customer Service Representative — $46,120
- Teller — $46,020
- Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks — $45,920
- Medical Secretary and Administrative Assistant — $44,680
- Receptionist and Information Clerk — $38,190
- Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks — $35,320
Construction and Extraction Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers — $77,450
- Operating Engineer and Other Construction Equipment Operator — $61,660
- Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters — $60,510
- Cement Mason and Concrete Finisher — $59,860
- Electrician — $59,210
- Carpenter — $57,430
- Construction Laborer — $46,340
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations
- Industrial Machinery Mechanic — $78,640
- First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers — $77,520
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers — $61,460
- Automotive Service Technician and Mechanic — $60,710
- Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other — $49,560
- Maintenance and Repair Workers, General — $48,690
- Tire Repairer and Changer — $46,660
Production Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Production and Operating Workers — $73,110
- Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers — $55,270
- Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers — $51,080
- Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers — $47,490
- Miscellaneous Assembler and Fabricator — $44,860
- Baker — $37,780
- Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Worker — $36,040
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations
- First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors — $63,400
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver — $59,790
- Bus Drivers, School — $47,330
- Light Truck Driver — $46,020
- Industrial Truck and Tractor Operator — $45,710
- Stocker and Order Filler — $41,440
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand — $41,080
- Driver/Sales Worker — $40,670
- Shuttle Driver and Chauffeur — $38,460
- Cleaner of Vehicles and Equipment — $36,250