Moving to Colorado Springs, CO

This post was updated on March 24th, 2023 with most recent trends and data.

Covered In This Moving Guide: 

• Colorado Springs At-a-glance
• What it’s like to live in Colorado Springs 
• Economy and job outlook in Colorado Springs 
• Real estate in Colorado Springs 
• The top neighborhoods in Colorado Springs 
• How to get around in Colorado Springs 
• School and education snapshot
• Weather and climate in Colorado Springs 
• 10 can’t miss things to do in Colorado Springs 

Thinking about moving to Colorado Springs?

You’ll be in good company. The Census Bureau estimates that the population of Colorado Springs has been increasing at a similar pace to that of the entire state. And by 2050, the state’s population could top 8.1 million residents. 

Uncover Colorado says it best: “Colorado Springs is undoubtedly one of the most breathtaking cities in the U.S. From majestic mountains to beautiful weather, Colorado Springs is truly a gem of a city.”

Colorado Springs is home to 483,956 Springsteens. With an area of 195 square miles, Colorado Springs has a population density of 2,552 persons per square mile, which makes it less dense than many other cities of comparable size.

New residents – especially millennials – are attracted to Colorado Springs’s sense of community, small-town charm, healthy living, and exquisite nature. The close proximity to Denver is another appealing reason to move there but there’s really no reason to leave the Springs, aka Olympic City USA and the state’s second largest city.  

Mild Weather, Great Quality of Life, What’s Not to Love?

Residents and those moving to Colorado Springs can both attest, one of the most attractive aspects of the city is its great quality of life. Great weather year-round means you have ample opportunities to get outside and enjoy activities like hiking, bicycling, and running. There’s always something to do in the area from arts festivals to farmer’s markets and music events. 

You’ll also notice the clean air, which is another thing the city frequently ranks for in “best of” lists. Keeping with the good health theme, Colorado Springs is the 46th healthiest city in America, making it an ideal locale for both families and young professionals alike. 

Another thing people routinely list as a reason for moving to Colorado Springs is a real true sense of community. Despite the large number of eateries, shops, and neighborhood grocery stores, people regularly stop to say hello to someone they know, which is the small-town vibe Colorado Springs hopes to preserve. 

With Pikes Peak, the inspiration for the song “America the Beautiful” as your backdrop and mild weather in a well-rounded, happy, healthy city, what’s not to love? 

Colorado Springs Sees Better Job Growth Post-Pandemic

Colorado Springs’ economy is heavily influenced by the military with a significant number of defense corporations and bases located within the area. It also emphasizes strength in other industry sectors from aerospace to cybersecurity to sports. From Lockheed Martin to Boecore, aerospace and defense companies have a $7 billion annual impact in Colorado Springs.

The Colorado Springs job market grew by 4.1 percent over the last year. And future job growth over the next 10 years is predicted to be at 48.4 percent, which is higher than the U.S. national average. Also interesting to note is that Colorado Springs was one of the only cities in Colorado that recovered ALL of its lost jobs from the pandemic. 

• Unemployment rate: 3.5 percent (as of September 2022)
• Average weekly wages for all industries: $1,116 (as of January 2023)

Colorado Springs Downside? Relatively High Housing Prices

One of the drawbacks of all of Colorado Springs’s growth and livability are its relatively high housing prices. The median home value in Colorado Springs is $472,081, a 4 percent increase from the previous year and 20 percent above the US median value, according to Zillow. Over the past 5 years, home values in Colorado Springs have increased by 3.5 percent year-over-year.

Renters in Colorado Springs will also have a hard time finding affordable housing. The median rent in Colorado Springs is $1,566 per month and over the past year, rental rates in Colorado Springs have increased by 4 percent.

On the flip side, Colorado Springs is a relatively affordable place to live when it comes to cost of living. According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis‘s Regional Price Parity survey, which takes into account cost of living metrics including the price of goods and services, Colorado Springs has a regional price parity of 103, a little bit above the average for U.S. metro areas. And the median household income is hovering near $70k at $67,819, which is not too shabby of an annual living. 

Welcoming Neighborhoods to Suit Just About Any Person

Colorado Springs is more than just Denver’s smaller sister-city to the south. For those who’ve lived here long, that’s old news. For newcomers, you’ll be delighted to know the Springs has many nice neighborhoods each with a distinct feel. These are some of the best neighborhoods to check out in Colorado Springs.

Old Colorado City/West Side: If an historic old town with antique houses and great boutique shopping is your style, Old Colorado City has got you covered. You’ll also find reasonable housing, quiet streets and plenty of character in this charming neighborhood.

Downtown: Heads up: downtown Colorado Springs is not full of skyscrapers. Instead, what you’ll find are historic architecture dotting the streets as well as highly-sought-after classic Victorian houses. There’s also a huge urban renovation taking place, which means you’ll find just about everything downtown. 

Cheyenne/Broadmoor: If the lap of luxury is your goal, the Cheyenne Mountain/Broadmoor area is among the priciest in the county. It’s home to incredible views of the overlooking mountains as well as a variety of architectural styles. Uncover Colorado adds, “If you’re a fan of the outdoors with some money to burn, this is one of the most coveted areas in town to settle.”

Northeast/Briargate/Northgate: This region is an up-and-coming area great for families as one of the best school districts are housed here. It may not be as much of a booming area as some of the other neighborhoods but there’s a ton of community development, which means more housing and ample green space. 

It’s Very Easy to Get Around in Colorado Springs – Especially for Outdoor Lovers

Getting around Colorado Springs is easiest by car, since some of the city’s most popular things to do – including the famous Pikes Peak – cannot be reached on foot. If you plan on spending the day in Colorado Springs you can get to most places on foot or through the affordable public bus system that has more than 20 routes. Not surprising, Colorado Springs is a very bike-friendly city with bike lanes and nearly 200 miles of paved and unpaved trails. Rent a bike for as little as $2 through PikeRide, the Springs bike-share program.

Traffic is not as big of a problem in Colorado Springs as it is in many other U.S. cities. According to a survey conducted by INRIX, the average commuter in Colorado Springs spends eight hours in traffic each year, a lower portion than average among US cities.

Colorado Springs Has a Great School System

With such an emphasis on being a great place to raise a family, it’s no wonder that Colorado Springs is blessed with a top-notch school system. In fact, it’s one of the best in the region. The public schools consistently score high on tests and high schools prepare students for college. All-in-all, parents know their kids are getting an excellent education.

Colorado Springs is also home to the United States Olympic Committee Headquarters and the Olympic Training Center, which hosts athletes in disciplines such as Judo and ice skating. For aspiring athletes, it’s the place to be but for other prospective students, two of Colorado’s best colleges, the University of Northern Colorado and University of Colorado, both have additional campuses in Colorado Springs.

Expect Some Kind of Precipitation A Quarter of the Year

Colorado can get cold and windy so if you’re looking for a warmer winter, move away from the mountains. On average, Colorado Springs sees 243 sunny days a year which is above average compared to the rest of the U.S. but you’ll experience some kind of precipitation around 88 days out of the year. And even though you’ll get hit with higher totals of snow (57 inches on average), it’s not uncommon to experience a 20-to-30-degree temperature swing within a few hours. If you don’t like the snow? Wait 15 minutes and it may already be on its way out.

The average annual temperature in Colorado Springs is 48.95 degrees. The average annual low temperature is 35.8 degrees, while the average annual high is 62.1 degrees. Colorado Springs’s hottest month is July, during which the average high temperature is 85 degrees, while the coldest month is December, when the average low drops down to 17 degrees.

10 Can’t-Miss Things to Do in Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs has an entire storied history of its own for you to explore. From ancient cliff dwellings to rhino feedings, these are the 10 activities you don’t want to miss.

1. Reach the summit of Pike Peak and see the view that inspired the “purple mountain majesties” lyrics in “America The Beautiful.” Kill two hiking expeditions in one and stop by the Garden of the Gods, which are the towering sandstone rock formations set dramatically against the backdrop of Pikes Peak.
2. If you’re the athletic type, hike the Manitou Incline, which is not an easy-breezy jaunt but rather a one-mile-long trek that has a 41 percent incline. There are 2,744 steps made from cable car ties.
3. Experience Seven Falls, a series of waterfalls situated in a box canyon. The 224 steps to the top rewards you with breathtaking views of the 181-foot falls. For an added adventure you can try 10 zip-lines, several rope suspension bridges and a 180-foot rappel from two separate courses.
4. Drink beer in the Phantom Canyon Brewing Co., which is the area’s original brewpub. Now Colorado Springs is home to more than 20 breweries in a state known for its craft spirit scene.
5. Visit the Olympic Training Center for a VIP tour of the facility, who knows, you might run into a budding elite athlete or two.
6. See the Manitou Cliff Dwellings for yourself, which showcases the ancient ruins of the Anasazi cliff dwellings from the early 1900s. Manitou also offers the Grand Caverns which contains caves, grottos and passageways to explore by a handheld lantern.
7. Take a Jeep tour through Colorado Springs for a half- or full-day excursion through Royal Gorge, Gold Belt or Red Canyon, where you can spot sprawling mountain views and red rock formations among other interesting sights.
8. Get up close and personal with rhinos, elephants, and giraffes at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.
9. A trip to Colorado Springs would not be complete without exploring one of the military bases like the Air Force Academy. Start at the Visitor Center and make your way to the most popular attraction, the U.S. Air Force Academy’s Cadet Chapel.
10. Have tea at the Glen Eyrie castle, which was originally built in 1871 by General William Jackson Palmer, the founder of Colorado Springs. For extra bonus British points, stop by the Golden Bee, a 19th century British pub in the Broadmoor that was transported piece by piece from England to Colorado Springs.

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in March 1, 2018 and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.