Living Cost Compare
Colorado Springs

Colorado

$1,470/mo est.

vs
Detroit

Michigan

$970/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,470 in Colorado Springs, CO versus $970 in Detroit, MI. Overall, Detroit, MI is roughly 34% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Colorado Springs, CO, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $83,198 in Colorado Springs, CO and $39,575 in Detroit, MI — about 52% higher in Colorado Springs, CO. Colorado has a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax; Michigan has a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax.

Colorado Springs, CO
Detroit, MI

Rent

Studio
$998
$801
+20% in Colorado Springs, CO
1 Bedroom
$1,305
$752
+42% in Colorado Springs, CO
2 Bedroom
$1,504
$1,001
+33% in Colorado Springs, CO
3 Bedroom
$1,881
$1,195
+36% in Colorado Springs, CO

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$420,700
$76,800
+82% in Colorado Springs, CO

Income

Median Household Income
$83,198
$39,575
+52% in Colorado Springs, CO
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$52,710
$52,080
+1% in Colorado Springs, CO

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
35.6 yr
35.1 yr
+0.5 yr in Colorado Springs, CO
Homeownership
61.3%
49.7%
+11.6 pp in Colorado Springs, CO
Bachelor's+ (25+)
41.9%
17.6%
+24.3 pp in Colorado Springs, CO
Avg Commute
22.8 min
25.4 min
+2.6 min in Detroit, MI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
722.1
1,783.4
+147% in Detroit, MI
Property Crime
3,488.7
4,391.6
+26% in Detroit, MI

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature
49.0°F
50.3°F
+1.3°F in Detroit, MI
Annual Precipitation
16.5 in
31.3 in
+14.8 in in Detroit, MI

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$4.25/gal
$3.94/gal
+7% in Colorado Springs, CO

Area: Colorado vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)
$1.75
—

Adult base one-way fare — Mountain Metro vs — (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
16.2
22.0
+36% in Detroit, MI
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$11.92
$14.07
+18% in Detroit, MI

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.82
$4.31
+10% in Colorado Springs, CO
Bread (lb)
$2.04
$1.66
+19% in Colorado Springs, CO
Eggs (doz)
$2.19
$3.63
+66% in Detroit, MI
Ground Beef (lb)
$7.36
$6.77
+8% in Colorado Springs, CO
Chicken (lb)
$2.01
$2.10
+4% in Detroit, MI
Bananas (lb)
$0.70
$0.62
+12% in Colorado Springs, CO

Average prices — West vs Midwest (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (CO / MI)
2.9%
6%
+3.1 pp in MI
Income Tax (top rate)
4.40%
4.25%
+0.2 pp in CO

Colorado Springs vs Detroit — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Colorado Springs or Detroit?
Detroit, MI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $970 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 34% below Colorado Springs, CO's $1,470, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Colorado Springs than in Detroit?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $52,000 a year in Colorado Springs versus $30,000 in Detroit.
Which has lower taxes, Colorado Springs or Detroit?
Colorado Springs is taxed under Colorado's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax); Detroit under Michigan's (a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).