Is Colorado Springs a good place to live? For many people, yes. Colorado Springs has Pikes Peak on the skyline, trails and parks across town, and a city of about 495,000 people with a wide range of neighborhoods. The trade-offs are real too: the average 30-year mortgage rate was 7.24% on October 29, 2026, according to Freddie Mac, and the median closed price for single-family and patio homes was $479,000 in September, according to the Colorado Association of REALTORS. Below, Laurie of Colorado’s Finest Agency, a Colorado native, walks through prices, jobs, weather and where to live, with the sources.
Colorado Springs at a Glance: 2026 Benchmarks
| Benchmark | Figure | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| City population | 494,743 | July 1, 2025 estimate (2020 base: 479,963) | U.S. Census Bureau |
| Metro area population | 781,796 | 2025 estimate | U.S. Census Bureau via FRED |
| Median household income (city) | $84,818 | 2020–2024, in 2024 dollars | U.S. Census Bureau |
| Colorado unemployment rate (statewide) | 4.1% | September 2026 (4.0% in August) | CDLE via The Gazette |
| Median closed price (single-family & patio) | $479,000 | September 2026 | Colorado Association of REALTORS |
| 30-year fixed mortgage rate (national) | 7.24% | Week of October 29, 2026 | Freddie Mac |
| Annual precipitation | 15.91 in. | 1991–2020 normals | National Weather Service |
| Annual snowfall | 32.5 in. | 1991–2020 normals | National Weather Service |
| Average annual temperature | 50.4°F | 1991–2020 normals | National Weather Service |
Data as of October 29, 2026 (mortgage rate), September 2026 (home prices and statewide unemployment), the Census 2025 population estimate and the 2020–2024 American Community Survey (income). Home prices describe the Colorado Springs area; the unemployment rate is statewide.
Is Colorado Springs a good place to live in 2026?
It depends on what you want from daily life, and we can help you test that before you move. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated the city’s population at 494,743 on July 1, 2025, up from a 2020 base of 479,963. That makes Colorado Springs the second-largest city in Colorado after Denver, and the center of a metro area of about 782,000 people in El Paso County. It’s large enough that you can choose a quiet street near the foothills or a busier area near shopping, schools and I-25.
Colorado Springs tends to suit people who want outdoor time close to home, a more relaxed pace than Denver, and easy access to the region’s military installations. The city sits at roughly 6,000 feet on the Front Range, so the sun is strong, the air is dry and the mountain views are part of everyday life. The trade-offs are a higher mortgage payment than a few years ago, longer drives across a spread-out city, and the occasional spring snowstorm.
Clients who move here often tell us the same things after their first year: they spend more time outside than they expected, and the part of town they chose matters more than the city itself. That’s why we spend so much of our first call on neighborhoods. For a full overview of the move, read our ultimate guide to moving to Colorado Springs.
How much does a home cost in Colorado Springs right now?
The median closed price for single-family and patio homes in the Colorado Springs area was $479,000 in September 2026, according to the Colorado Association of REALTORS, essentially flat from a year earlier. A median is the middle price: half of the homes sold for more and half for less.
Freddie Mac reported the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate at 7.24% for the week of October 29, 2026, down from 7.32% the week before and from a 2026 high of 7.40% in early October, but up from 6.17% a year earlier (Freddie Mac, Oct. 29, 2026). That is a national average, and your own rate depends on your lender and your loan. We are not lenders and can’t give financial advice, so ask for a written quote; our mortgage pre-approval guide explains how.
Price and payment are different things. On a $479,000 home with 10% down, principal and interest come to about $2,938 a month at 7.24%, compared with about $2,632 at last year’s 6.17%. That’s roughly $306 more per month for the same house (illustration only; taxes, insurance and HOA dues are extra). Prices also vary a lot by neighborhood, so ask us about the area you like. For the full market picture, see our fall 2026 Colorado Springs housing market update.
What are jobs and incomes like?
Colorado’s statewide unemployment rate was 4.1% in September 2026, up from 4.0% in August, according to the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, as reported by The Gazette. That is a statewide number, not a Colorado Springs number. Local labor data is published by the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment.
The Census Bureau’s median household income for the city was $84,818 for 2020 to 2024, in 2024 dollars. A household income counts everyone who earns in one home, so it is not a typical salary.
The military is a major part of the local economy. Fort Carson, Peterson Space Force Base, Schriever Space Force Base, Cheyenne Mountain Space Force Station and the U.S. Air Force Academy all sit in or near Colorado Springs, and many of the clients we help are on a PCS move or work alongside these installations. The city is also home to the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Center. See our military buyer resources and our guide to military relocation to Colorado Springs.
What is the weather really like?
Colorado Springs is dry, with about 15.91 inches of precipitation and 32.5 inches of snow in a typical year, based on the 1991 to 2020 normals from the National Weather Service. The average annual temperature in that period was 50.4°F, with an average high of 64.1°F and an average low of 36.8°F.
| Season | What to Expect |
|---|---|
| Fall | Mild, sunny days and cool nights. October averages 2.5 inches of snow, and the first snowfall usually arrives that month. |
| Winter | Cold snaps and snow days, often followed by sun. November and December each average about 4 inches of snow. |
| Spring | The most changeable season. A late storm can arrive after warm weeks; the last snow typically falls in April. |
| Summer | Warm, dry mornings and frequent afternoon thunderstorms. No snow from June through August. |
Because the air is dry and the sun is strong at this elevation, snow on roads and sidewalks often melts within a few days. Pack for four seasons. For your first winter, we suggest good all-season or snow tires, an ice scraper in the car, and a garage or covered parking if you can get it.
What is there to do outside?
Many of our clients tell us the trails and parks are the reason they moved. Garden of the Gods, with its red sandstone formations, and Palmer Park, with mesa-top trails in the middle of the city, are both close to town. On the north side and in Monument, Fox Run Regional Park and the Santa Fe Regional Trail, which follows the old railroad line north toward Palmer Lake, are local favorites. And Pikes Peak, at 14,115 feet, is the view most days.
Other well-known outdoor spots include Cheyenne Mountain State Park, Red Rock Canyon Open Space and the trails around Manitou Springs. For events, attractions and seasonal ideas, the official tourism site Visit Colorado Springs is a good place to start. Families can find more ideas in our guide to raising kids in Colorado Springs.
Which part of town fits your life?
Pick the part of town by your commute, budget and what you want within ten minutes of home, not by the city’s name. Briargate, Northgate, Flying Horse and Gleneagle are in the north. Monument and Woodmoor sit farther up the Interstate 25 corridor. Our office is at 3544 Cape Romain Dr in north Colorado Springs, so these are the areas we tour every week.
| Area (ZIP) | Nearby Landmarks | Often a Good Fit If You Want… | School District |
|---|---|---|---|
| Briargate (80920) | Briargate Parkway, Chapel Hills Mall, Pine Creek | Established neighborhoods, parks and shopping nearby | Academy District 20 (most addresses) |
| Northgate (80921) | Interquest Parkway, the Air Force Academy’s North Gate, Interquest Marketplace | Newer homes and fast I-25 access | Academy District 20 (most addresses) |
| Flying Horse (80921) | Flying Horse Club golf course, Highway 83 | A master-planned community with amenities | Check by address |
| Gleneagle (80921) | Near I-25 and Baptist Road, between north Colorado Springs and Monument | Mature trees and mountain views | Check by address |
| Monument (80132) | Historic downtown Monument, Fox Run Regional Park, Santa Fe Regional Trail | A small-town feel and easier trips toward Denver | Lewis-Palmer District 38 (most addresses) |
| Woodmoor (80132) | Lake Woodmoor, east of I-25 in the Monument area | Larger lots and a wooded setting | Lewis-Palmer District 38 (most addresses) |
Commute times to Fort Carson, Peterson SFB, Schriever SFB and the Air Force Academy depend on the neighborhood, the gate you use and the time of day. North-side neighborhoods are closest to the Academy, while Fort Carson is on the south end of the city. We map your real drive before you choose an area. Most out-of-town visitors fly into Colorado Springs Airport (COS).
School boundaries follow the exact address, so check the district’s own site, Academy District 20 or Lewis-Palmer School District 38, before you fall in love with a home. Compare areas on our neighborhood pages, see our 5 best neighborhoods in Colorado Springs, read Monument vs Colorado Springs: where to live, and learn more about living in Monument, Colorado. Moving with children? Read moving to Colorado Springs with a family.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Colorado Springs expensive?
Compared with a few years ago, many buyers find it costs more. The median closed price for single-family and patio homes was $479,000 in September 2026, and the average 30-year mortgage rate was 7.24% on October 29 (Colorado Association of REALTORS; Freddie Mac). Your own cost depends on the neighborhood, the home and your loan. We can show you what fits your budget.
Is Colorado Springs better than Denver for a move?
Neither is better for everyone. Colorado Springs is smaller, with about 495,000 people compared with about 741,000 in Denver (Census 2025 estimates), and it has a more spread-out, outdoors-focused feel with several military installations nearby. Denver offers a bigger job market and more city amenities. Many people choose Colorado Springs or Monument and make occasional trips north on I-25.
How bad is winter?
Colorado Springs gets about 32.5 inches of snow in a typical year, and it is a dry climate (1991 to 2020 normals). Most snowfalls are light, and snow often melts within a few days in the strong sun. We tell out-of-state clients to plan for a few real snow days and a garage or covered parking if they can.
Is Monument or Colorado Springs better?
Neither is better for everyone. Monument is a smaller town north of the city with Lewis-Palmer schools and a longer drive downtown. Colorado Springs has more neighborhoods and shorter drives to the bases. We compare them in Monument vs Colorado Springs.
Can I buy a home in Colorado Springs from out of state?
Yes. We set up live video tours, send a clear summary of each home and plan one short trip to see your top choices in person. Read our step-by-step guide on buying a home in Colorado Springs from out of state.
Is Colorado Springs a good place for military families?
Many families on a PCS move choose it because Fort Carson, Peterson SFB, Schriever SFB and the Air Force Academy are all nearby. Drive times depend on the neighborhood and the gate. See our military page.
Thinking About a Move to Colorado Springs?
Thinking about a move to Colorado Springs or Monument? Schedule a call with Laurie & Kalene at Colorado’s Finest Agency. Tell us where you are moving from, your timeline and what matters most, and we will build a short list of neighborhoods and plan your video tours. Learn how we help relocating buyers in our guide to the best realtor in Colorado Springs for relocation, read client reviews, or contact us.
- Book a call: Schedule your relocation consultation
- Call: (719) 367-6880
- Email: cos@coloradosfinestrealty.com
- Office: 3544 Cape Romain Dr, Colorado Springs, CO 80921
- Areas served: Colorado Springs, Monument, Woodmoor, Briargate, Northgate, Flying Horse, Gleneagle and the wider Pikes Peak region
Market information only, not financial or legal advice. Data as of October 29, 2026 (mortgage rate), September 2026 (home prices and statewide unemployment), Census 2025 estimate and 2020–2024 survey (population and income), and 1991–2020 normals (weather).
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts; U.S. Census Bureau metro population via FRED; The Gazette on Colorado Department of Labor and Employment data (Oct. 16, 2026); Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (Oct. 29, 2026); Colorado Association of REALTORS (Oct. 13, 2026); National Weather Service, Colorado Springs normals.
