Living Cost Compare
Colorado Springs

Colorado

$1,470/mo est.

vs
Washington

District of Columbia

$2,150/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 $2,150 in Washington, DC. Overall, Colorado Springs, CO is roughly 32% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Washington, DC, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $83,198 in Colorado Springs, CO and $106,287 in Washington, DC — about 22% higher in Washington, DC. Colorado has a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax; District of Columbia has a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6% state sales tax.

Colorado Springs, CO
Washington, DC

Rent

Studio
$998
$1,763
+77% in Washington, DC
1 Bedroom
$1,305
$1,885
+44% in Washington, DC
2 Bedroom
$1,504
$1,949
+30% in Washington, DC
3 Bedroom
$1,881
$2,249
+20% in Washington, DC

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$420,700
$724,600
+72% in Washington, DC

Income

Median Household Income
$83,198
$106,287
+28% in Washington, DC
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$52,710
$71,060
+35% in Washington, DC

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
35.6 yr
34.9 yr
+0.7 yr in Colorado Springs, CO
Homeownership
61.3%
41.1%
+20.2 pp in Colorado Springs, CO
Bachelor's+ (25+)
41.9%
63.6%
+21.7 pp in Washington, DC
Avg Commute
22.8 min
30.3 min
+7.5 min in Washington, DC

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
722.1
936.3
+30% in Washington, DC
Property Crime
3,488.7
3,627.9
+4% in Washington, DC

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
58.2°F
+9.2°F in Washington, DC
Annual Precipitation
16.5 in
39.7 in
+23.2 in in Washington, DC

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$4.25/gal
$3.86/gal
+9% in Colorado Springs, CO

Area: Colorado vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)
$1.75
$2.00
+14% in Washington, DC

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
16.2
25.4
+57% in Washington, DC
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$11.92
$22.01
+85% in Washington, DC

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.82
$4.00
+17% in Colorado Springs, CO
Bread (lb)
$2.04
$1.75
+14% in Colorado Springs, CO
Eggs (doz)
$2.19
$2.21
+1% in Washington, DC
Ground Beef (lb)
$7.36
$6.45
+12% in Colorado Springs, CO
Chicken (lb)
$2.01
$1.90
+6% in Colorado Springs, CO
Bananas (lb)
$0.70
$0.62
+12% in Colorado Springs, CO

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (CO / DC)
2.9%
6%
+3.1 pp in DC
Income Tax (top rate)
4.40%
10.75%
+6.3 pp in DC

Colorado Springs vs Washington — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Colorado Springs or Washington?
Colorado Springs, CO is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,470 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 32% below Washington, DC's $2,150, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Colorado Springs than in Washington?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $52,000 a year in Colorado Springs versus $75,000 in Washington.
Which has lower taxes, Colorado Springs or Washington?
Colorado Springs is taxed under Colorado's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax); Washington under District of Columbia's (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% 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).